Museo Galileo
italiano
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Virtual Museum
Wheel barometer
    • Setting:
      Room XI
    • Maker:
      unknown
    • Place:
      Italian
    • Date:
      late 18th cent.
    • Materials:
      wood, glass
    • Dimensions:
      height 1026 mm, max. width 330 mm
    • Inventory:
      1139
    • Wheel barometer (Inv. 1139)
    • Wheel barometer (Inv. 1139)

Wheel barometer mounted on a gilt and decorated wooden base. The barometric scale is divided into Paris inches. Above the barometer is a thermometer, also with a dial. The back of the instrument holds a large tube, originally containing alcohol, connected to a U-tube filled with mercury. The volume of alcohol varies with the changes in temperature, altering the height of the mercury column. A floating weight on the mercury column moves the thermometer pointer by means of a cord and pulley.