Builders of a barometer at Portland State University’s Engineering Building hope it will qualify as the tallest instrument for measuring air pressure in the world.
The barometer in the building’s atrium will have a fluid column of nearly 41 feet. A barometer recognized by Guinness World Records in the 1990s had a 33-foot fluid column.
The Oregonian reports instrument technician Tom Bennett got the idea to re-use 2-inch diameter glass pipe that was available after a chemistry lab was remodeled.
He’s finishing the project this week. The glass pipe is filled with a column of water – not mercury, which was used in early barometers. Bennett expects the barometer will be sensitive enough to measure changes in air pressure caused by simply opening a door in the building.
Was this article valuable?
Here are more articles you may enjoy.
How Three New CMS Policies Impact Workers’ Comp Claims 
Florida And East Coast Will See Big Losses From More Cat 5 Storms, Researchers Say 
Wells Fargo Whistleblower on Sham Interviews Wins Right to Sue 
Hong Kong Orders Citywide Scaffolding Nets Removal After Blaze 
Want to stay up to date?
Get the latest insurance news
sent straight to your inbox.