Sphere

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

The sphere has water placed in it, and the air above it is subjected to pressure from a syringe. The water then spurts out of the nozzle at the top of the sphere, 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.

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• Online ID: 000-100-104-184-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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