Sphere (detail)

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This is a detail of a copper sphere, for conducting experiments on water under pressure. The sphere was made around 1880, probably by Kemp and Co. of Edinburgh.

The detail shows the nozzle on top of the sphere where the signature is stamped. When water placed in the sphere, and the air above the sphere is subjected to pressure from a syringe, the water then spurts out of the nozzle, giving a fountain effect.

Various experiments demonstrating the properties of fluids - the science of hydraulics - were devised during the 19th century to teach students the principles.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-190-002-252-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  T.1902.8.35
• Date: Around 1880
  c. 1880
  
• Material: Copper; iron stand
  Sphere, experiment, water pressure
  
• Dimensions:
• What: Sphere, experiment, water pressure
  
• Subject: 22. PHYSICS, Hydrostatics (Departmental Classification)
  
• Who: Kemp and Co., Edinburgh (Maker)
  
• Where: Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh
  
• Event:
• Description: Copper sphere on an iron stand, for experiments on water under pressure, by Kemp and Co., Edinburgh, c. 1880
  
• References:
  • For Kemp & Co., see Morrison-Low, A. D., 'Kemp & Co., Laboratory Suppliers' on Stock, J. T. & Orna, M. V. (eds), The History and Preservation of Chemical Instrumentation. Dordrecht: 1986, pp 163-86 
  • Turner, G. L'E., Nineteenth Century Scientific Instruments. London: 1983, pp 82-95 
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