Mercury Barometers on Different Planets
What would happen if you brought a mercury barometer to Earth, the Moon, Mercury, Venus, and Mars? Here, we assume that the mercury barometer has a U-shaped tube: one side is open, and the other side … more
Atmospheric Pressure
Density distribution in the atmosphere
Observe how the density distribution of the atmosphere changes as gravity (gravitational acceleration) is varied. The total kinetic energy of the air particles is assumed to be constant. Gravity is assumed to act uniformly, and no … more
Torricelli’s Experiment
Torricelli’s Experiment The first person to measure the magnitude of air pressure is Italian scientist Torricelli. He was filled with mercury (Hg) in a glass tube with one end blocked. And he stood upside down in … more
Drinks in a straw aren’t pulled, they’re pushed.
Drinks in a straw aren’t pulled, they’re pushed. When we say ‘straw,’ most people picture liquid being sucked upward. But scientifically, that’s not what happens. The liquid doesn’t rise because of suction; it rises because the … more
The Air Pressure and Wind
If you fill the Coriolis effect 100%, the actual wind on the surface of Earth will appear. High atmospheric pressure and low atmospheric pressure The cause of wind blowing is the difference in air pressure. A … more
Sea and Land Breeze
Sea and Land Breeze Sea and Land Breeze is a wind that changes its wind direction every day in coastal areas. During the day, a sea breeze blows from the sea to the land, and at … more
Galileo’s Pump Problem
Galileo’s Pump Problem A duke living in Tuscany, Italy, in the 17th century installed a well in the courtyard of the palace. But, the duke saw the pump fail to pull water up. The Duke asked … more