The spelling of the word "barometer" can be confusing. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is pronounced /bəˈrɒmɪtə/. The "b" is pronounced as usual, but the next few letters can be tricky. The "a" is pronounced as in "cat", the "r" is a trilled sound, the "o" is pronounced as in "lot", the "m" is normal, the "e" is pronounced as in "pet", and the last two letters are pronounced as "tuh". So, to spell "barometer", remember to pay attention to the "e" and the trilled "r" sounds.
A barometer is a scientific instrument used to measure atmospheric pressure. It consists of a sealed glass tube, typically filled with mercury or an alternative liquid, which is open at the base and inverted in a reservoir of the same liquid. As atmospheric pressure fluctuates, the pressure of the surrounding air presses down on the liquid in the reservoir and causes it to rise up the tube. By observing the height of the liquid column, the atmospheric pressure can be determined.
Atmospheric pressure, also known as barometric pressure, is the force exerted on a surface by the weight of the air above it. It constantly changes due to weather patterns and altitude variations. Barometers are crucial tools in meteorology, aiding in weather prediction and the study of air pressure systems. They can indicate impending changes in weather conditions, such as approaching storms or shifts in air pressure gradients.
In addition to traditional mercury barometers, there are several types of barometers available today, including aneroid barometers, which use a series of flexible metal chambers to measure pressure changes, and digital barometers, which use sensors to detect pressure variations and display the readings electronically. Barometers have been instrumental in understanding and predicting weather patterns, and their invention in the seventeenth century marked a significant advancement in meteorology.
An instrument for measuring the pressure of the atmosphere, either the variations of pressure in one locality determined by cyclonic and anti-cyclonic disturbances, or the diminution of pressure at elevations, thereby determining the height above sea-level. The older form is a column of mercury in a tube sealed at its upper end, the pressure of the air being measured by the height of the column of mercury.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
An instrument that indicates changes in the weather, and used to ascertain the heights of mountains from the pressure of the atmosphere.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "barometer" originated from the Greek words "baros" meaning "weight" and "metron" meaning "measure". It was coined in the early 17th century by the Italian scientist Evangelista Torricelli, who invented the device. The term "barometer" literally means "measure of weight" and refers to the instrument's function of measuring atmospheric pressure.