Images(2)

thermometer with discontinuous scale

Datecirca 1903

Inventory Number4436

ClassificationThermometer

Subject

Maker Baudin fl. 1875 - 1920

User Department of Physics, Harvard University founded 1884

Cultural Region

Place of Origin

Dimensions55.6 x 0.4 cm (21 7/8 x 3/16 in.)
case: 57.2 x 1.3 cm (22 1/2 x 1/2 in.)

Material

Accessoriesmetal case

DescriptionA thermometer consisting of a thin glass tube with a mercury reservoir. It ends in an elogated bulb filled with mercury on one side, while at the other side it ends in a small glass ring. Its scale is etched on the glass and is interrupted by an expansion in the mercury capillary. The first section is calibrated from -4 to 52 degrees Celsius, while the second section goes from 98 to 102 degrees. It is graduated to 1/10 of a degree.

It has a short piece of string tied to the glass ring.

Signedmarked on thermometer: 15960 Baudin à Paris (1903.7)

Curatorial RemarksCase tagged: "Used in Lyman Hall or Bridgman," "Case numbered similar to T.W. Richards," "From Lyman Oct. 13, 1963".

FunctionThis thermometer has a scale divided in two parts around temperatures of special physical interest, with a mercury expansion between them that allows the thermometer to be considerably shorter than in the absence of the discontinuity (1/2 the total length). The lower part is useful for temperatures around the freezing point of water and of physiological and meteorological interest. (-4 to 52 Celsius). The upper part measures temperatures in close vicinity of the boiling point of water (98 to 102 Celsius).

ProvenanceFrom the Department of Physics, Lyman Laboratory, Harvard University.