In 1640 a physicist by the name of evangelista torricelli discovered that air has weight at sea level one cubic meter of air weighs about 1 25kg

In 1640, Evangelista Torricelli Unveiled the Weight of Air

Evangelista Torricelli, an Italian physicist, left an indelible mark on the scientific world by discovering the weight of air in 1640. This groundbreaking revelation paved the way for a deeper understanding of the atmosphere and its properties. Torricelli’s experiments laid the foundation for modern physics and meteorology, forever altering our perception of the air we breathe.

Torricelli was born in Faenza, Italy, in 1608. At a young age, he displayed an exceptional talent for mathematics and physics. Guided by his insatiable curiosity, Torricelli embarked on a path that would lead him to countless scientific discoveries, one of which was the realization that air possesses weight.

Before Torricelli’s revelation, the concept of air having weight eluded even the most brilliant minds. People simply took for granted that the air surrounding them was weightless. However, Torricelli challenged this assumption and set out to prove that air indeed possessed weight.

To conduct his experiment, Torricelli used a long, narrow glass tube, sealed at one end, and filled it with mercury. He then carefully inverted the tube, placing the open end into a basin of mercury. The mercury in the tube started to descend, eventually stabilizing at a height of about 76 centimeters.

Torricelli realized that the mercury in the tube did not drain out entirely due to the pressure exerted by the weight of the air. This experiment became known as the Torricellian tube, and its initial purpose was to measure atmospheric pressure rather than to reveal the weight of air. However, this unintentional revelation gave birth to a groundbreaking concept.

Further calculations and experiments allowed Torricelli to determine that air has weight. At sea level, one cubic meter of air weighs approximately 1.25 kilograms. This discovery revolutionized the field of physics, providing a basis for understanding gas laws, weather patterns, and atmospheric phenomena.

Torricelli’s findings had far-reaching implications. Scientists and philosophers were now able to comprehend the forces that governed the Earth’s atmosphere. This knowledge laid the groundwork for advancements in meteorology, aviation, and the understanding of weather-related phenomena such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and pressure systems.

In conclusion, Evangelista Torricelli’s astonishing discovery in 1640 unraveled the mystery of air’s weight. His groundbreaking experiments and calculations unveiled a fundamental truth about our atmosphere. Today, his contributions to science and physics continue to shape our understanding of the world around us.

*Sources: https://history-biography.com/evangelista-torricelli/