Credit: ©The Royal Society
    Image number: RS.14213

    Explanation of the Torricellian experiment

    Date
    13 August 1662
    Creator
    Unknown, Artist
    Object type
    Archive reference number
    Manuscript page number
    p188
    Material
    Dimensions
    height (page): 367mm
    width (page): 299mm
    Subject
    Physics
       > Vacuum physics
          > Pneumatics
    Content object
    Description
    Figure from Wallis's explanation of the Torricellian experiment tried by Jonathan Goddard at the meeting of the Royal Society on 13 August 1662. Wallis's paper, possibly this fair copy, was read two weeks later on 27 August 1662. The paper was ordered to be registered (RBO/1/187-194).

    The original paper is at (EL/W1/1).
    Object history
    At the meeting of the Royal Society on 13 August 1662, ‘Dr. Goddard made an experiment with quicksilver, weighing it in the tube inverted.
    [...] Dr. Wallis was desired to bring in writing his solution of Dr. Goddard’s experiment of weighing glass canes with cylinders of quicksilver standing in them, according to the Torricellian experiment' (Birch 1:104).

    20 August 1662, ‘Dr. Wallis’s written discourse about Dr. Goddard’s experiment was delivered in; but because the understanding thereof depended greatly upon the schemes annexed to it, the reading of it was deferred till the next meeting: and the amanuensis was ordered to draw the said schemes in great upon a large paper, that every member might look upon them with conveniency’ (Birch 1:104-05).

    27 August 1662, ‘Dr. Wallis’s account of Dr. Goddard’s experiment of weighing mercurial glass canes was read, and ordered to be registered, and afterwards published by him [Mechanica, part 3]’ (Birch 1:106).
    Related fellows
    John Wallis (1650, British) , Mathematician
    Jonathan Goddard (1612 - 1675, British) , Physician, Physician
    Associated place
    <The World>
       > Europe
          > United Kingdom
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