The scientific world and its inventions have made a great impact and difference in many fields and have created feasibility in study, analysis and management.
Before certain inventions were made, people used to make rough decisions and predictions by using traditional methodologies about certain things and used often lacked perfection in their results. Two of such great inventions to measure atmospheric pressure are 1. Barometers, and 2. Manometers.
Key Takeaways
- Barometers measure atmospheric pressure, while manometers measure the pressure of gases or liquids in closed systems.
- Barometers are used to forecast weather conditions, while manometers are used to measure pressure in pipes, tanks, and other closed systems.
- Barometers can be mercury-based or aneroid, while manometers can be open-tube, closed-tube, or differential.
Barometers vs Manometers
The difference between barometers and manometers is in terms of the presence of an open-ended tube. Barometers possess open-ended tubes. On the other hand, manometers do not possess open-ended tubes. The design and function of barometers are rather limited than the design and functions of manometers.
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A scientific device used to calculate atmospheric pressure is called a barometer. The minor fluctuations in pressure caused by weather and its different elements are measured by barometers.
A scientific device used to measure and indicate pressure is called a manometer. It is used not only to measure air pressure but also to measure other pressures that are lower than the air pressure.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Barometers | Manometers |
|---|---|---|
| Invented in/on | 1643 | 1661 |
| Inventors | Evangelista Torricelli | Otto von Guericke |
| Subtypes | Water barometers, Mercury barometers, Fitzroy barometers, Fortin barometers, Sympiesometers, Wheel barometers, Vacuum Pump Oil barometers, Aneroid barometers, MEMS barometers. | U-tube manometers, Differential U-tube manometers, Inverted U-tube manometers, Micro manometers, Inclined manometers, Ring-Balance manometers, Digital manometers, Analog manometers. |
| Uses | Measurement of atmospheric pressure, Whether forecasting, Used in scuba diving to keep track of the diver’s air tank, In smartphone’s fitness applications, or In smartphone’s GPS chip for faster locks and delivery of altitude data. | Measurements of smaller or larger pressure differences, Monitoring of gas pressure in water pipelines, and Measurement of water pressure, Mercury Absolute manometers are used for various purposes in power plants and research laboratories. |
| Advantages | High density, low vapour pressure, moderate evaporation rate, Non-sticky, Opaque surface. | Less maintenance, Fewer costs, Feasible manufacturing, Excellent accuracy and sensitivity. |
| Disadvantages | Some types of barometers are easy to transport while others are not, with High chances of liquid contamination. | Large in size and bulky, it requires levelling; condensation introduces errors and Poor dynamic performance. |
What are Barometers?
A scientific device used to calculate atmospheric pressure is called a barometer. In the year 1643, Evangelista Torricelli invented the first barometer.
The Measurement of atmospheric pressure by a barometer is called barometric pressure. The equation by which we can find the barometric pressure is “Patm= ρgh”.
Several other applications of a barometer and its subtypes include, Measurement of atmospheric pressure, Weather forecasting, Used in scuba diving to keep track of the diver’s air tank.
There are several types of barometers classified on parameters, like the material used to make them and their methods for measurements-for,example, Water barometers, Mercury barometers, Fitzroy barometers, Fortin barometers, Sympiesometers, and Wheel barometers.
Barometers have their disadvantages and advantages. Its advantages include high density, low vapour pressure, moderate rate of evaporation, and non-sticky, opaque surface. Some of its disadvantages include high chances of contamination of the liquid.
What are Manometers?
A scientific device used to measure and indicate pressure is called a manometer. It is used not only to measure air pressure but also to measure other pressures that are lower than the air pressure.
Light oils, water and mercury are some of the liquids used in a manometer for measurement. A manometer is also used to measure smaller or larger pressure differences.
It has several other subtypes, which include U-tube manometers, Differential U-tube manometers, Inverted U-tube manometers, Micro manometers, Inclined manometers, Ring-Balance manometers, Digital manometers, and Analog manometers. These several types have several applications and have their independent properties and constructions.
Several applications of manometers include Measurements of smaller or larger pressure differences, Monitoring of gas pressure in water pipelines, Measurement of water pressure.
Some of its advantages include less maintenance, fewer costs, feasible manufacturing, excellent accuracy and sensitivity. Some disadvantages include being large in size and bulky, requiring levelling, condensation introducing errors, and poor dynamic performance.
Main Differences Between Barometers and Manometers
- The design and functionality of barometers are rather limited than the design and functions of manometers.
- Manometers have both open outlets. On the other hand, barometers have one closed outlet, which has a vacuum.
- https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=gohJZ5GlCOwC&oi=fnd&pg=PA1&dq=manometers&ots=92r3wYfsXx&sig=x1yUot31rTZ9efE-8u1hHQ_Fshs
- https://academic.oup.com/gji/article-abstract/48/3/281/615208
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Piyush Yadav has spent the past 25 years working as a physicist in the local community. He is a physicist passionate about making science more accessible to our readers. He holds a BSc in Natural Sciences and Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science. You can read more about him on his bio page.
