🌡️ Simple Barometer – Let’s Measure the Air!
Arya walked into her grandfather’s study and saw a long tube filled with silver liquid turned upside down in a bowl.
“Is that some kind of magic stick?” she asked. Grandpa laughed, “That’s a barometer! It helps us measure air pressure. Want to know how it works?”
He explained how the tube was filled with mercury and then turned upside down. The level inside didn’t fall completely because the **atmospheric pressure** outside kept it pushed up.
“So… the air is actually pushing things?” Arya blinked. “Exactly!” Grandpa said. “Welcome to the science of air you can’t see but can definitely feel!”
“Is that some kind of magic stick?” she asked. Grandpa laughed, “That’s a barometer! It helps us measure air pressure. Want to know how it works?”
He explained how the tube was filled with mercury and then turned upside down. The level inside didn’t fall completely because the **atmospheric pressure** outside kept it pushed up.
“So… the air is actually pushing things?” Arya blinked. “Exactly!” Grandpa said. “Welcome to the science of air you can’t see but can definitely feel!”
🔍 Puzzle 1:
What does a barometer measure?
It measures atmospheric pressure.
🔍 Puzzle 2:
Who invented the simple mercury barometer?
Evangelista Torricelli
🔍 Puzzle 3:
Why is mercury used in a barometer instead of water?
Because mercury is heavier, so the height of the column is manageable (~76 cm vs 10.4 m for water).
🔍 Puzzle 4:
What happens to the mercury level in a barometer when air pressure increases?
The mercury level rises.
🔍 Puzzle 5:
What happens to the mercury level when atmospheric pressure falls?
The mercury level falls.
🔍 Puzzle 6:
If the atmospheric pressure is high, what kind of weather is likely?
Clear and dry weather.
🔍 Puzzle 7:
What unit is used to measure pressure in the barometer?
Millimetres of mercury (mmHg) or Pascal (Pa)
🔍 Puzzle 8:
What is the approximate normal reading of mercury in a barometer at sea level?
76 cm or 760 mm of Hg
🔍 Puzzle 9:
Why must the barometer tube be evacuated before turning it upside down?
To remove air and ensure the space above mercury is a vacuum.
🔍 Puzzle 10:
What balances the weight of mercury in the barometer tube?
The atmospheric pressure acting on the mercury in the bowl.
💬 Do you think Arya’s grandpa was cool? Share your thoughts or doubts in the comments below! 👇
