barometer tubing?
Date: mid 19th-early 20th Century
Inventory Number: 4987
Classification: Glassware
Subject:
Maker: American ?
Cultural Region:
Dimensions:
32.8 x 3 x 2.3 cm (12 15/16 x 1 3/16 x 7/8 in.)
Description:
Silvered (mercury stain?) metal tubing, with a long piece bent in a U shape at the top. The tube narrows at the bend, and the bent part lays parallel to the main body. This end is rounded and closed. The lower end of the tube bends slightly away from itself, a shorter piece curves up and towards the main body again. This end is thicker than the rest of the instrument, at a perpendicular angle to the the upper bend. This end is sealed with a cork stopper, and tied with string.
Used to contain mercury.
Used to contain mercury.
Signedunsigned
FunctionThis piece of tubing was possibly part of a barometric apparatus, similar to a siphon barometer or a "folded" barometer." The open end which is sealed with a cork suggests that it may have been filled with mercury and left open to the atmosphere on one end to balance the column in the tube.