Fortin barometer Puzzles

🌡️ Fortin Barometer – Precise Pressure, Perfect Readings!

Aarav walked into the weather lab and saw a strange glass tube with screws, a leather bag at the bottom, and a metal scale with fine divisions.

“What’s this complex-looking device?” he asked. His teacher smiled, “It’s a Fortin Barometer — the upgraded version of Torricelli’s. It gives very accurate atmospheric pressure readings!”

“How?” Aarav asked. “It has a cistern at the base you can adjust using a screw, and a vernier scale at the top for precise measurement. That’s how we know whether a storm is coming or not!”

“Cool! So, the air is actually pushing mercury up — and we read how high?” “Exactly! Let’s try some puzzles to test your understanding…”

🧠 Puzzle 1:

What is the use of the leather bag or screw at the bottom of a Fortin barometer?

To adjust the level of mercury to a fixed reference point before taking the reading.

🔍 Puzzle 2:

Why is a vernier scale used in Fortin barometer?

To take accurate readings of the height of the mercury column.

📏 Puzzle 3:

If the mercury level in a Fortin barometer reads 760 mm one day and 750 mm the next day, what can you say about the air pressure?

Air pressure decreased, which may indicate approaching bad weather.

📐 Puzzle 4:

The main scale reads 745 mm and the vernier shows 0.06 mm. What is the atmospheric pressure?

745 mm + 0.06 mm = 745.06 mm of Hg

🔧 Puzzle 5:

Why must the mercury level touch the ivory pointer tip in the Fortin barometer before reading?

To ensure a standard reference point and avoid reading errors.

⚖️ Puzzle 6:

Convert a reading of 760 mmHg into Pascal. (Take 1 mmHg = 133.3 Pa)

760 × 133.3 = 101308 Pa (approximately 101.3 kPa)

📊 Puzzle 7:

If a barometer reading suddenly drops from 762 mm to 740 mm, what does it suggest?

It suggests a sudden drop in atmospheric pressure, likely indicating a storm or rain.

🌧️ Puzzle 8:

What happens to the mercury level in the Fortin barometer when a cyclone approaches?

The mercury level falls due to low atmospheric pressure.

📚 Puzzle 9:

How is a Fortin barometer better than a simple barometer?

It has adjustable parts for accuracy and a vernier for precision measurement.

🔬 Puzzle 10:

What is the main principle behind the working of any mercury barometer?

Atmospheric pressure balances the weight of the mercury column.

💬 Have you ever seen a real Fortin barometer? What surprised you most about it? Let us know in the comments! 👇