002.393.Idrija

Idrija Mercury Heritage Management Center, Bazoviška 2, SI-5280 Idrija

Public

Republic of Slovenia

/

Daily life

The mercury barometer consists of: glass tube with mercury, height regulator, measuring scale, metal lath and a wooden housing. The long glass tube with mercury is attached to the modified wooden housing with a channel. In the upper part, the tube expands into a ovoid-shape, and it ends in a small bottle, which is closed with a plastic plug on both ends. The bottle is installed on the spring, which is attached to the screw height regulator. A metal lath is attached on the left side. The upper part of the latter has a measuring scale with a sliding gauge. A thermometer is attached on the top right side.

Length 12.6 cm, width 7 cm, height 100 cm.

Length 12.6 cm, width 7 cm, height 100 cm.

1953

Manufacturer information is not known.

A barometer is a physical measuring device for measuring air pressure. The specific weight of mercury varies depending on the temperature. Therefore, the measurements need to be adjusted to the device temperature. For this purpose, the mercury thermometer is used, which is usually attached to the device. The mercury in tube is adjusted until the weight of the mercury column is adjusted to the weight of the atmosphere in the bowl. The high air pressure causes greater force on the bowl, directed downwards. The low air pressure caused less force on the bowl, directed downwards, and enables the mercury to fall on a lower level. The barometer is generally useful for weather forecasting, where the high air pressure in a specific area indicates good weather and low air pressure indicates bad weather.

The barometer is being preserved, secured and presented as an important mining heritage of Idrija with exceptional universal values. It is a part of the CUDHg Smelting Collection. Visitors can view it within the permanent museum display “From Ore to Mercury Drops” in the Hg Smelting Plant, which represents the characteristics and the versatile use of mercury in science, technology, medicine, culture and every day life. Within the mentioned exhibition the object is placed in the density segment and it presents the usefulness of mercury for technical devices.

Kolektor turboinštitut d.o.o.

Hg Smelting Plant (From Ore to Mercury Drops), Arkova 50, SI-5280 Idrija

The barometer is well preserved. Additional interventions are not necessary. Security of the premise is taken care off.

good

Regular seasonal maintenance.

- CUDHg Inventory Book.

Mestni muzej Idrija

Miha Kosmač

17. 3. 2018

Never