Regnault Hygrometer

Description:

Henri Victor Regnault, professor of physics at the College de France in Paris, described this type of instrument in 1845. It consists of a brass stand; a silver tube into which ether is poured and through which air can be made to pass; a thermometer to take the temperature of the ether; and another to measure the ambient air.

This example has two mercury-in-glass thermometers, each of which has a milk-white back marked "Jas. Green. 175 Grand St. New York." The clear front of one is graduated every ½ degree Fahrenheit from -15 to +130. The clear front of the other is graduated every degree Fahrenheit from -10 to +120. It was made between 1849 and 1875 when James Green was working at this address in New York City. It came to the Smithsonian from the U.S. Military Academy.

Ref: H. V. Regnault, "Études sur l'hygrométrie," Annales de Chimie et de Physique 15 (1845): 129-236, on 196-201.

Negretti & Zambra, Treatise on Meteorological Instruments (London, 1864), pp. 104-105.

Date Made: 1849-1875

Maker: Green, James

Location: Currently not on view

Place Made: United States: New York

See more items in: Medicine and Science: Physical Sciences, Thermometers and Hygrometers, Measuring & Mapping

Exhibition:

Exhibition Location:

Credit Line: U.S. Military Academy

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: PH.316419Accession Number: 223721Catalog Number: 316419

Object Name: Regnault hygrometer

Measurements: overall in box: 2 in x 13 3/4 in x 4 1/2 in; 5.08 cm x 34.925 cm x 11.43 cm

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746b3-1962-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_1289930

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