Title

Evangelista Torricelli's

Caption

Evangelista Torricelli's (1608-1647) demonstration 1643. [1873]. It showed that the height of a column of liquid is governed by atmospheric pressure and that the height of the column is directly proportional to the density of the liquid. Water will rise to 9.75m (32 feet) but mercury, which is approximately 13.5 times denser, will only rise to .736m (29 ins). A meter (3 feet) tube is filled with mercury and the open end placed in a dish of mercury. The liquid will fall in the tube until the weight of the column is in equilibrium with atmospheric pressure - .736m (29 ins). From "The Atmosphere" by Camille Flammarion. (London, 1873).

Info+

Photos12.com - Ann Ronan Picture Library

Credit line

Photo12/Ann Ronan Picture Library

Reference

ARP07104_460001199

License type

Rights managed

Available size

37,5Mb (1,3Mb) / 12,3in x 11,8in / 3704 x 3543 (300dpi)