Take the barometer gently off the wall and tilt it slowly back, to about 45 degrees. The mercury will rise in the glass tube and fill the empty space at the top. With the instrument still tilted, turn the closing screw clockwise until you have pushed the leather diaphragm upward about one-quarter inch.
Full Answer
Can you fix a broken barometer?
In general, most barometers cannot be fixed or are too dangerous to fix. Aneroid barometers can occasionally be fixed if the beryllium and copper capsule is replaced in the unit. Repair a common household barometer with help from a television meteorologist in this free video on barometers.
How do you store a mercury barometer?
Keep it tilted at all times; this will prevent the mercury from surging up and down in the tube and either drawing in a bubble of air, or breaking the end out of the tube. If the barometer is to be stored for a short time, prop it as nearly vertical as possible in a safe corner. Return it to its home on the wall in the same way.
How do you open a barometer to fill it up?
Take the barometer gently off the wall and tilt it slowly back, to about 45 degrees. The mercury will rise in the glass tube and fill the empty space at the top. With the instrument still tilted, turn the closing screw clockwise until you have pushed the leather diaphragm upward about one-quarter inch.
Can aneroid barometers be repaired?
Aneroid barometers can occasionally be fixed if the beryllium and copper capsule is replaced in the unit. Repair a common household barometer with help from a television meteorologist in this free video on barometers.
How to get mercury out of thermometer?
1. Place the thermometer in a refrigerator or ideally, a freezer. If cold enough, it should send the mercury (or other indicating fluid) to the bulb with little else to do. See the next steps if a refrigerator or freezer is not available or did not work.
How to move a thermometer down?
Rapidly move the thermometer down and sharply reverse direction ( and snap the wrist upward). When the thermometer reaches the lowest point of the stroke several times.
What happens if a thermometer separates?
If the column of mercury (or other indicating fluid) in a thermometer separates, the void will render the indicated temperature inaccurate. Here are some ways to remove the void in the column. Please read all the steps before attempting this.
How many times should a thermometer be folded?
Drop the thermometer on a bed, pillow, or even a towel folded so that it is 8 (or more) times the non-folded thickness. Not more than a one or two foot drop is recommended.
How to hold a thermometer vertically?
Hold the thermometer vertically - with the bulb directed downward.
How long can you keep mercury in the freezer?
Keep it in the freezer until the mercury or indicating fluid reaches the bulb.
Can you use a mercury thermometer in food?
Consider discontinuing the use of thermometers containing mercury if it is used for cooking or is a clinical thermometer. Since mercury is highly toxic, using them in food or in the body is discouraged. New electronic thermometers and those that use a red dye and alcohol mixture are much easier to read and safer to use.
How to fill a barometer with mercury?
With the barometer in your hands, held vertical, and the cistern cover off, tilt the barometer back slowly and let the top of the tube fill with mercury. Then cork the open spout so the mercury can't splash out. A size 00 or 000 cork will do, and can be found at hobby shops or hardware stores.
Where is the mercury reservoir on a barometer?
They will generally have either of two types of mercury reservoir (cistern) at the bottom of the glass tube: a cylindrical wood cistern with a closing screw, or a glass bulb.
How to set a banjo barometer?
To prepare one for a long-distance move, you'll need two size 00 or 000 corks, which can be found at hobby and hardware stores, and a little masking tape. Take the barometer gently off the wall, turn its back toward you, and set it on an upholstered chair or couch, tilted 45 degrees off of vertical.
How to get a barometer to work on a couch?
Take the barometer gently off the wall, turn its back toward you, and set it on an upholstered chair or couch, tilted 45 degrees off of vertical. Open the back door. The wood door may bind a bit, so work it open gently and resist the urge to pry it open with a screwdriver.
Why do ships have barometers?
Ships' barometers should have a glass tube that sharply restricts the movement of the mercury, and it will flow very slowly. (This feature allowed them to be used on ships in rough seas, protecting the fragile glass tube from surging masses of mercury.)
How to move a barometer?
SHORT MOVE. Nearly any barometer can be safely moved for a short distance without special preparation, just by taking the barometer off its hanger, tilting it slightly to make the mercury rise to the top of the glass tube, and carrying it slowly and smoothly to a safe place. Keep it tilted at all times; this will prevent the mercury from surging up and down in the tube and either drawing in a bubble of air, or breaking the end out of the tube. If the barometer is to be stored for a short time, prop it as nearly vertical as possible in a safe corner. Return it to its home on the wall in the same way. Smooth and easy does it. Make no sudden movements.
What is the closing screw on a barometer?
The cylindrical cistern, or reservoir of mercury, is sealed to the bottom end of the glass tube, and also has a leather diaphragm in its base. The closing screw, more properly called the portable screw, is a threaded brass rod that protrudes from the bottom ...