Sympiesometer

Sympiesometer

A sympiesometer is a compact and lightweight type of barometer that was widely used onboard ships in the 1800s.

The sympiesometer consists of two parts. One is a traditional mercury thermometer that is needed to calculate the expansion or contraction of the fluid in the barometer proper. The other is the barometer, consisting of an J-shaped tube open at the lower end and closed at the top, with small reservoirs at both ends of the tube. The lower end of the J and its associated reservoir were filled with colored almond oil, while the upper portion and its reservoir were filled with hydrogen gas. Increasing air pressure would cause the oil to be pushed out of the lower reservoir and into the tube, compressing the hydrogen gas into the upper reservoir. The pressure was indicated by the position of the top of the oil. To correct for temperature a sliding scale was used; the operator would first use the thermometer to set the scale and then measure the pressure from it.

The basic idea is similar to the common weather glass that had been in use for some time, but the use of highly compressible hydrogen in a long, thin tube allowed much more accurate measurements, as changes in pressure resulted in much more movement of the liquid. The basic concept was initially demonstrated by Robert Hooke, which he referred to as the Otheometer. However it remained unused until it was re-introduced by Alexander Adie.


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Sympiesometer — Sym pi*e*som e*ter, n. [Gr. ? compression (fr. ? to press together; sy n with + ? to press, squeeze) + meter.] A sensitive kind of barometer, in which the pressure of the atmosphere, acting upon a liquid, as oil, in the lower portion of the… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • sympiesometer — /sim pi i zomˈi tər or somˈ/ noun 1. A barometer with a gas instead of a vacuum 2. An instrument for measuring the pressure of a current ORIGIN: Gr sympiesis a pressing together, from syn with, piezein to press, and metron a measure …   Useful english dictionary

  • sympiesometer — instrument for measuring pressure of a current Scientific Instruments …   Phrontistery dictionary

  • HMS Beagle — was a Cherokee class 10 gun brig sloop of the Royal Navy, named after the beagle, a breed of dog. She was launched on 11 May 1820 from the Woolwich Dockyard on the River Thames, at a cost of £7,803. In July of that year she took part in a fleet… …   Wikipedia

  • Aneroid barometer — Barometer Ba*rom e*ter, n. [Gr. ba ros weight + meter: cf. F. barom[ e]tre.] An instrument for determining the weight or pressure of the atmosphere, and hence for judging of the probable changes of weather, or for ascertaining the height of any… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Barometer — Ba*rom e*ter, n. [Gr. ba ros weight + meter: cf. F. barom[ e]tre.] An instrument for determining the weight or pressure of the atmosphere, and hence for judging of the probable changes of weather, or for ascertaining the height of any ascent.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Marine barometer — Barometer Ba*rom e*ter, n. [Gr. ba ros weight + meter: cf. F. barom[ e]tre.] An instrument for determining the weight or pressure of the atmosphere, and hence for judging of the probable changes of weather, or for ascertaining the height of any… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Mountain barometer — Barometer Ba*rom e*ter, n. [Gr. ba ros weight + meter: cf. F. barom[ e]tre.] An instrument for determining the weight or pressure of the atmosphere, and hence for judging of the probable changes of weather, or for ascertaining the height of any… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Siphon barometer — Barometer Ba*rom e*ter, n. [Gr. ba ros weight + meter: cf. F. barom[ e]tre.] An instrument for determining the weight or pressure of the atmosphere, and hence for judging of the probable changes of weather, or for ascertaining the height of any… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Wheel barometer — Barometer Ba*rom e*ter, n. [Gr. ba ros weight + meter: cf. F. barom[ e]tre.] An instrument for determining the weight or pressure of the atmosphere, and hence for judging of the probable changes of weather, or for ascertaining the height of any… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”