Question

How is a barometer used as an altimeter?

Answer 1

1. Altimeter is a device used to measure the elevation of a body with respect to mean sea level.
2. Altimeter is based on the principle that “with an increase in height, the atmospheric pressure decreases”.
3. Altimeter consists of a compact barometer calibrated in terms of the height of ascent of the mercury contained in the barometer.
4. The working of the altimeter is based on the fact that the air pressure of the atmosphere decreases by 1 millibar for every 10 m increase in altitude.
5. A barometer fitted with a height depicting scale acts as an altimeter and enables us to depict the height at a place with respect to the mean sea level.