Pascal Vases (3)

Pascal Vases (3)

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Description
The fact that a liquid poured into several communicating vases, whatever their shape, will seek the same level in each, was known in antiquity. It became scientific when the French savant, Blaise Pascal, discussed it in his Treatise on the Equilibrium of Liquids (1653). In time, simple hydrostatic instruments became popular for classroom demonstrations, and these instruments became known as Pascal vases. These three glass vessels of different sizes and shapes, with a threaded collar of brass at the lower part of each, were made for that purpose.
Ref: Charles F. Adams, Physics for Secondary Schools (New York, 1906), pp. 136-137.
Location
Currently not on view
Object Name
hydrostatic equilibrium apparatus
Measurements
overall: 3 1/2 in x 16 1/2 in x 5 7/8 in; 8.89 cm x 41.91 cm x 14.9225 cm
overall; vessels in housing: 4 1/4 in x 10 1/4 in x 13 5/8 in; 10.795 cm x 26.035 cm x 34.6075 cm
overall; stand: 3 5/8 in x 6 1/2 in x 5 5/8 in; 9.2075 cm x 16.51 cm x 14.2875 cm
ID Number
1979.1202.01
catalog number
1979.1202.01
accession number
1979.1202
See more items in
Medicine and Science: Physical Sciences
Data Source
National Museum of American History
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