The Galileo Thermometer


Image Credit Flickr User Tadek

Galileo Galilei was an Italian jack of all arts and science trades who played a major role in the Scientific Revolution of the seventeenth century. His discoveries about the effect of temperature on the density of liquids led to a thermometer being named after him.The instrument consists of a sealed glass cylinder containing a clear liquid and a series of bulbs with weights attached.  As the temperature changes, the bulbs rise and fall depending of a number of mathematical principles first conceived by Galileo. It is not only functional; it is also very beautiful.

Link

I had one for a long time which fell and broke just recently. The fluid holding all the glass balls is oily and really hard to clean up -.-.

@Ron R : There is no gas inside the bulbs. I think the bulbs just have water in them and the clear liquid is similar to oil. I read about it but it's sort of difficult to understand for non-chemists like me. There is something to do with the weight of the metal tabs on the bulbs too.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
I gave my husband one of these a few years ago kind of as a last-minute gift because I was running out of ideas. Turned out he'd always wanted one and he loved it. Ours has different colored liquid in each of the floats and is jewellike and lovely.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
Login to comment.
Click here to access all of this post's 7 comments




Email This Post to a Friend
"The Galileo Thermometer"

Separate multiple emails with a comma. Limit 5.

 

Success! Your email has been sent!

close window
X

This website uses cookies.

This website uses cookies to improve user experience. By using this website you consent to all cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

I agree
 
Learn More