Minima Thermometers
73. Rutherford’s Alcohol Minimum Thermometer, fig. 55, consists of a glass tube, the bulb and part of the bore of which is filled with perfectly pure spirits of wine, in which moves freely a black glass index. A slight elevation of the thermometer, bulb uppermost, will cause the glass index to flow to the surface of the liquid, where it will remain, unless violently shaken. On a decrease of temperature the alcohol recedes, taking with
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Fig. 55.
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Directions for using, &c.—Having caused the glass index to flow to the end of the column of spirit, by slightly tilting the thermometer, bulb uppermost, suspend the instrument (in the shade with the air passing freely to it on all sides) by the two brass plates attached for that purpose,—in such manner that the bulb is about half an inch lower than the upper, or the end of the thermometer farthest from the bulb; then, on a decrease of temperature, the spirits of wine will descend, carrying with it the glass index; on an increase of temperature, however, the spirits of wine will ascend in the tube, leaving that end of the small glass index farthest from the bulb indicating the minimum temperature. To reset the instrument, simply raise the bulb end of the thermometer a little, as before observed, and the index will again descend to the end of the column, ready for future observation.
Precautions.—1. By no means jerk or shake an alcohol minimum thermometer when resetting it, for by so doing it is liable to disarrange the instrument, either by causing the index to leave the spirit, or by separating a portion of the spirit from the main column.
2. As alcohol thermometers have a tendency to read lower by age, owing to the volatile nature of the fluid allowing particles in the form of vapour to rise and lodge in the tube, it becomes necessary to compare them occasionally with a mercurial thermometer whose index error is known; and if the difference be more than a few tenths of a degree, examine well the upper part of the tube to see if any alcohol is hanging in the bore thereof; if so, the detached portion of it can be joined to the main column by swinging the thermometer with a pendulous motion, bulb downwards.
3. The spirit column is sometimes much separated by jolting in travelling. If the instrument is in such a condition when received, it should be held by the right hand, bulb downward, and the frame tapped smartly, but cautiously, against the palm of the left hand. The broken thread of spirit will soon begin to join, and by continuing the operation a sufficient time all the bubbles will disappear, and the thermometer become as good as ever.
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<em>Dr. Robinson</em>, of Armagh, is the inventor of a very successful anemometer, which determines the horizontal velocity of the wind. It was first used in 1850, in the meteorological and tidal observations made on the coast of Ireland under the d... Rules For Foretelling The Weather
<p><br> A RISING BAROMETER.</p> <div> <p>A “Rapid” rise indicates unsettled weather.</p> <p>A “Gradual” rise indicates settled weather.</p> <p>A “Rise,” with dry air, and cold increasing in summer, indicat... Self-compensating Standard Barometer
<p>This barometer has been suggested to Messrs. Negretti and Zambra by Wentworth Erk, Esq. It consists of a regular barometer; but attached to the vernier is a double rack worked with one pinion, so that in setting or adjusting the vernier in one posi... Self-registering Rain-gauge
The rain-gauge can be combined with clock-work and other mechanism so as to be self-recording of the amount of rain, the time, and duration of its fall. For the details of construction the reader is referred to the next chapter, where he will find t... Set Of Portable Instrument
<p>In a small box, 8 in. by 8 in. by 4 in., a complete set of meteorological instruments have been packed. The lid of the box, by an ingenious arrangement, is made to take off and hang up; on it are permanently fixed for observation, a maximum and min... Small Size Aneroids
The patent for the Aneroid having expired, Admiral FitzRoy urged upon Messrs. Negretti & Zambra the desirability of reducing the size at which it had hitherto been made, as well as of improving its mechanical arrangement, and compensation for te... Solar And Terrestrial Radiation Considered
The surface of the earth absorbs the heat of the sun during the day, and radiates heat into space during the night. The envelope of gases and vapour, which we call the atmosphere, exerts highly important functions upon these processes. Thanks to th... Solar Radiation Thermometer
“As the interchange of heat between two bodies by radiation depends upon the relative temperature which they respectively possess, the earth, by the rays transmitted from the sun during the day, must be continually gaining an accession of heat... Standard Barometer
<p>Fig. 3 represents a Standard Barometer on Fortin’s principle. The barometer tube is enclosed and protected by a tube of brass extending throughout its whole length; the upper portion of the brass tube has two longitudinal openings opposite ea... Standard Syphon Barometer
<p>Fig. 24 represents the most accurate form of the Gay Lussac barometer. The short limb is closed at the top, after the mercury is introduced, and a small lateral), and here illustrated (fig. 25). Fig. 25.<br> <img src="/images/fig25.jpg" alt=""> ... Standard Thermometer
<div>Fig. 36<br> <img src="/images/fig36.jpg" alt=""><br> </div> <p>The peculiarities in the construction of thermometers will be best understood by describing the manufacture of a <em>Standard Thermometer</em>, which is one of the most accurate m... Sympiesometer
<div>Fig. 32.<br> <img src="/images/fig32.jpg" alt=""></div> <p>Nevertheless the instrument now about to be described, depending upon similar principles, but scientifically constructed and graduated, is a very useful and valuable substitute for the... Syphon With Photographic Registration
A continuous self-registering barometer has been constructed, in which photography is employed. Those who may wish to adopt a similar apparatus, or thoroughly to understand the arrangements and mode of observation, should consult the detailed descr... Temperature Is The Energy With Which Heat Affects Our Sensation Of Feeling
<p>Bodies are said to possess the same temperature, when the amounts of heat which they respectively contain act outwardly with the same intensity of transfer or absorption, producing in the one case the sensation of warmth, in the other that of coldn... The Barometer Vernier
The <em>vernier</em>, an invaluable contrivance for measuring small spaces, was invented by Peter Vernier, about the year 1630. The barometer scale is divided into inches and tenths. The vernier enables us to accurately subdivide the tenths into hun... The Common Formthe Barometer Is Of Great Use To The Mariner Who By Using It As A &ldquoweather Glass&rdquo Is Enabled To Fores
<p>Other forms of barometer (to be immediately described) have superseded this in the British Marine, but the French still give the preference to the wooden frames. They think the barometer can be more securely mounted in wood, is more portable, and l... The Fitzroy Marine Barometer
<p>Admiral FitzRoy deemed it desirable to construct a form of barometer as practically useful as possible for marine purposes. One that should be less delicate in structure than the Kew barometer, and not so finely graduated. One that could be set at ... The Kew Marine Barometer
The form of barometer so-called, is that recommended by the Congress of Brussels, held in 1853, for the purpose of devising a systematic plan of promoting meteorological observations at sea.</p> <p>The materials employed in its construction are mer...