Barometer Information Tips
Read these 10 Barometer Information Tips tips to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Weather tips and hundreds of other topics.
Still in Action
Meercury-type barometers developed in the 17th century by Torricelli are still being used today. However, most of the modern barometers use aneroids to detect air pressure. An aneroid is a tightly sealed flexible metal bellow that expands and contracts due to atmospheric pressure.
A Bit of History
Evangelista Torricelli, an Italian mathematician and physicist, invented the barometer in 1643. He had also served as an assistant to astronomer Galileo. Torricelli discovered that the variation of the height of mercury from day to day was caused by changes in atmospheric pressure.
Barometers 101
A barometer is an instrument used for predicting weather changes by measuring air pressure.
Forecasting
A wireless barometer is an excellent weather forecasting device that many times also displays inside and outside temperature, humidity levels and much more.
New Heights
The height to which the mercury rises in the glass tube of a barometer is directly proportional to the atmospheric pressure. This is usually measured in inches of mercury.
Sticks and Dials
Mercury barometers include the “stick” version where you read the mercury height by looking at the top of the column inside the glass tube. A dial barometer (sometimes known as wheel or banjo barometers) has a hand pointing to numbers on a dial.
Measuring up ....
Barometers use a measurement method termed millibars. To convert millibars to inches, multiply by 0.02953. To convert inches to millibars, multiply by 33.86.
Where Does It Go?
Many people believe a barometer must be placed on an inside wall to obtain accurate readings. However, it really makes no difference where the barometer is placed – there may be a slight temperature difference but air pressure is the same inside as well as outside.
Up and Down
Falling atmospheric pressure on a barometer indicates that stormy weather or unsettled weather conditions are approaching. A rising atmospheric pressure indicates the approach of good weather.
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| Jolyn Wells-Moran |
