What are Magdeburg hemispheres?
Magdeburg hemispheres are two half-spheres of equal size. Placing them together traps air between them. This air is merely trapped, and not compressed, so the pressure inside is the same as the pressure of the atmosphere outside the spheres.
What is a Magdeburg sphere and why was it invented?
When the rims were sealed with grease and the air was pumped out, the sphere contained a vacuum and could not be pulled apart by teams of horses. The Magdeburg hemispheres were invented by German scientist and mayor of Magdeburg, Otto von Guericke, to demonstrate the air pump that he had invented, and the concept of atmospheric pressure.
What was the purpose of the Magdeburg experiment?
Gaspar Schott ‘s sketch of Otto von Guericke ‘s Magdeburg hemispheres experiment. The Magdeburg hemispheres are a pair of large copper hemispheres, with mating rims. They were used to demonstrate the power of atmospheric pressure.
What are the original Magdeburg hemispheres and Guericke’s vacuum pump?
The original Magdeburg hemispheres and Guericke’s vacuum pump in the Deutsches Museum, Munich, Germany. The Magdeburg hemispheres, around 50 cm (20 inches) in diameter, were designed to demonstrate the vacuum pump that Guericke had invented. One of them had a tube connection to attach the pump, with a valve to close it off.
Magdeburg Hemispheres. When evacuated, held together by bombardment of atmospheric molecules. Two brass hemispheres are brought together and evacuated, and are held together by the pressure of the atmosphere.
Are Magdeburg hemispheres suction cups?
We could say that the Magdeburg hemispheres are an early primitive form of suction cup (though suction cups apparently have a history that goes back much further)! A good set of Magdeburg hemispheres, however, can provide suction forces significantly stronger, as Guericke’s original horsepower demonstration shows.
What is the force of Guericke’s hemispheres?
Guericke’s hemispheres had a radius of about 25 cm; if he had almost completely evacuated them of air, they would provide a force of about 4400 lbs! For those not willing to spend some $60 for a metal set of hemispheres, it is possible to perform a simple version of Guericke’s demonstration at home with readily available supplies.
What is the Magdeburg experiment?
The Magdeburg experiment is a delightful glimpse of the hidden and powerful atmospheric forces that are with us at all times. It is just as fascinating today as it was some 350 years ago!