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Torricellis demonstration of the effect of atmospheric pressure on a column of liquid, 1643 (1873)
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Torricellis demonstration of the effect of atmospheric pressure on a column of liquid, 1643 (1873)
Evangelista Torricellis demonstration of the effect of atmospheric pressure on a column of liquid, 1643 (1873). Torricelli (1608-1647), Italian physicist and mathematician, 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 metre (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. From The Atmosphere by Camille Flammarion. (London, 1873)
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Media ID 14865706
© Oxford Science Archive / Heritage-Images
Atmospheric Pressure Barometer Camille Camille Flammarion Demo Demonstration Dish Experiment Flammarion Hand Liquid Measurement Mercury Oxford Science Archive Physics Pressure Scientific Apparatus Scientific Instrument Tube Density Equilibrium Evangelista Evangelista Torricelli Torricelli
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This print captures the historic moment of Torricelli's groundbreaking demonstration on the effect of atmospheric pressure on a column of liquid. In 1643, Italian physicist and mathematician Evangelista Torricelli revolutionized our understanding of physics by revealing that the height of a liquid column is determined by atmospheric pressure and directly proportional to its density. The image showcases a meter-long tube filled with mercury, symbolizing Torricelli's ingenious experiment. With one end immersed in a dish containing mercury, the liquid within the tube gradually falls until reaching equilibrium with atmospheric pressure. This simple yet profound concept forever changed our perception of how nature operates. Camille Flammarion's engraving beautifully illustrates this pivotal scientific apparatus, transporting us back to the 17th century when these revolutionary ideas were first explored. The monochrome aesthetic adds an air of timelessness to this significant moment in history. As we gaze upon this print, we are reminded not only of Torricelli's brilliance but also his legacy as one of Italy's greatest scientific minds. His discovery paved the way for advancements in barometry and measurement techniques that continue to shape modern science today. Through this photograph, we are invited to appreciate both the beauty and significance behind Torricelli's experiment—a testament to humanity's endless curiosity about our world and our relentless pursuit of knowledge.
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