Difference between revisions of "AY Honors/Weather - Advanced/Answer Key"

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[[Image:Max Min Thermometer.JPG|250px|right|thumb|A Maximum Minimum thermometer, also known as Six’s thermometer after its inventor. The scales are Fahrenheit on the inside of the U and Celsius on the outside. The current temperature is 23 degrees Celsius, The maximum recorded is 25, and the minimum is 15, both read from the base of the small markers in each arm of the U tube. The bulbs are hidden by a plastic housing]]
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[[Image:BAROGRAM.JPG|thumb|Barogram of a heavy storm over northern Germany 2005]]
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[[Image:Barograph.JPG|thumb|Three day barograph of the type used by the [http://www.msc.ec.gc.ca/ Meteorological Service of Canada]]]
  
'''Six's thermometer''' is a [[thermometer]] which can measure the [[maximum]] and [[minimum]] [[temperature]] during a given time, devised by [[James Six]] in [[1782]]. It is also known as a '''Maximum minimum thermometer'''. It is still in common use wherever a simple way is needed to measure the extremes of temperature at a location, e.g. in [[meteorology]] and [[horticulture]].
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A '''barograph''' is a recording [[aneroid barometer]]. It produces a paper or foil chart called a '''barogram''' that records the [[barometric pressure]] over [[time]].
  
==Description==
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Barographs use one or more aneroid cells acting through a gear or lever train to drive a recording arm that has at its extreme end either a scribe or a pen. A scribe records on smoked foil while a pen records on paper. The recording material is mounted on a [[cylinder (geometry)|cylindrical]] drum which is rotated slowly by [[clockwork]]. Commonly, the drum makes one revolution per [[day]], per [[week]], or per [[month]] and the rotation rate can often be selected by the user.
It consists of a U-shaped capillary tube with two separate temperature readings, one for the maximum temperature and one for the minimum temperature. There are bulbs at the top of each arm of the U-shaped tube. The one at the top of the minimum reading scale contains [[alcohol]], the other contains a [[vacuum]] or low pressure alcohol vapour.  
 
  
In the bend of the U is a section of [[mercury (element)|mercury]] which is pushed around the tube by the expansion and contraction of the alcohol in the first bulb. It is the alcohol which measures the temperature, the mercury indicates the temperature reading on both scales. At any given time the position of the mercury should be the same on both the maximum and minimum scales. If not then the instrument scales are not correctly positioned.
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Because the amount of movement that can be generated by a single aneroid is minuscule, up to seven aneroids (so called Vidie-cans) are often stacked "in series" to amplify their motion. It was invented in 1843 by the Frenchman [[Lucien Vidie]] (1805-1866).
  
As the mercury moves it pushes 2 small steel markers which are sprung into the tube. They record the furthest point reached by the mercury in each arm of the tube. When the temperature reverses and the mercury is moved in the opposite direction by the expansion or contraction of the alcohol, the sprung markers remain in the tube at the furthest position they have been pushed by the mercury. They thus record the extremes of temperature experienced by the devise since it was last reset.
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Flight Recording: As atmospheric pressure responds in a predictable manner to changes in altitude, barographs may be used to record elevation changes during an aircraft flight. Barographs are required by the [[Federation Aeronautique Internationale|FAI]] to record certain tasks and record attempts associated with [[sailplanes]]. A continuously varying trace indicates that the sailplane has not landed during a task, while measurements from a calibrated trace may be used to establish the completion of altitude tasks or the setting of records. Examples of FAI approved sailplane barographs include the Replogle mechanical drum barograph and the EW electronic barograph (which may be used in conjunction with [[GPS]]).  For more information about approved barograph measurement devices, goto the Soaring Society of America at [http://www.SSA.org SSA].
  
The markers are reset by using a small [[magnet]] which can drag the markers along the tube so that they again rest on the surface of the mercury. In some designs the tube is [[horizontal]] and the markers un-sprung so the devise is reset by turning it to the [[vertical]] so that [[gravity]] returns the markers to the mercury.
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Nowadays, mechanical recording barographs have commonly been superseded by electronic weather instruments that use [[computer]] methods to record the barometric pressure. These are not only less expensive than mechanical barographs but they may also offer both greater recording length and the ability to perform further [[data analysis]] on the captured data including automated use of the data to forecast the weather.
  
Its important to note that the alcohol is used as the thermometric liquid, while the mercury only serves as an indicator.  
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==Three Day Barograph==
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On the top right of the picture of the three day barograph can be seen a silver knurled knob. This is to adjust the barograph so that it correctly reflects the station pressure. Barely visible below the knob is a small silver plunger. This is pressed every three hours to leave a time mark on the paper.
  
==References==
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The line between two of these marks is called the 'characteristic of barometric tendency' and is used by [[weather forecast]]ers. The observer would first note if the pressure was lower or higher than three hours prior. Next, a code number would be chosen that best represents the three hour trace. There are nine possible choices (0 to 8) and no single code has preference over another. In the case of the graph on the barograph, one of two codes could be picked. An 8 (steady then decreasing) or 6 (decreasing then steady). The observer should pick the 6 because it represents the last part of the trace and is thus most representative of the pressure change.
*''A History of the Thermometer and Its Uses in Meteorology'' by W. E. Knowles Middleton, Johns Hopkins University Press, 1966; ISBN 0801871530
 
  
*''The Construction of a Thermometer'' by James Six, Nimbus Publishing Ltd,1980; ISBN 0950703605
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In the bottom centre is the aneroid (large circular silver object). As the pressure increases the aneroid is pushed down causing the arm to move up and leave a trace on the paper. As the pressure decreases the spring lifts the aneroid and the arm moves down.
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After three days the drum to which the graph is attached is removed. At this point the clockwork motor is wound and if necessary corrections can be made to increase or decrease the speed and new chart is attached.
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==Images of barographs==
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{| align=center
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| [[Image:MUGGIANU_Jean-Marie_IMAG0003.jpg|thumb|center|150px|[[Sailplane]] barograph in its case]]
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| [[Image:MUGGIANU_Jean-Marie_IMAG0002-1.jpg|thumb|center|180px|Capsule pile and linkage. This barograph can be seen to have five aneroid capsules stacked in series.]]
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| [[Image:MUGGIANU_Jean-Marie_IMAG0010.jpg|thumb|center|180px|A stationary barograph without its case]]
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|}
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{{Met_inst}}
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{{Commons|Barograph}}
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[[Category:Measuring instruments]]
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[[Category:Meteorological instrumentation and equipment]]
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[[cs:Barograf]]
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[[de:Barograph]]

Revision as of 02:34, 5 May 2006

File:BAROGRAM.JPG
Barogram of a heavy storm over northern Germany 2005
Three day barograph of the type used by the Meteorological Service of Canada

A barograph is a recording aneroid barometer. It produces a paper or foil chart called a barogram that records the barometric pressure over time.

Barographs use one or more aneroid cells acting through a gear or lever train to drive a recording arm that has at its extreme end either a scribe or a pen. A scribe records on smoked foil while a pen records on paper. The recording material is mounted on a cylindrical drum which is rotated slowly by clockwork. Commonly, the drum makes one revolution per day, per week, or per month and the rotation rate can often be selected by the user.

Because the amount of movement that can be generated by a single aneroid is minuscule, up to seven aneroids (so called Vidie-cans) are often stacked "in series" to amplify their motion. It was invented in 1843 by the Frenchman Lucien Vidie (1805-1866).

Flight Recording: As atmospheric pressure responds in a predictable manner to changes in altitude, barographs may be used to record elevation changes during an aircraft flight. Barographs are required by the FAI to record certain tasks and record attempts associated with sailplanes. A continuously varying trace indicates that the sailplane has not landed during a task, while measurements from a calibrated trace may be used to establish the completion of altitude tasks or the setting of records. Examples of FAI approved sailplane barographs include the Replogle mechanical drum barograph and the EW electronic barograph (which may be used in conjunction with GPS). For more information about approved barograph measurement devices, goto the Soaring Society of America at SSA.

Nowadays, mechanical recording barographs have commonly been superseded by electronic weather instruments that use computer methods to record the barometric pressure. These are not only less expensive than mechanical barographs but they may also offer both greater recording length and the ability to perform further data analysis on the captured data including automated use of the data to forecast the weather.

Three Day Barograph

On the top right of the picture of the three day barograph can be seen a silver knurled knob. This is to adjust the barograph so that it correctly reflects the station pressure. Barely visible below the knob is a small silver plunger. This is pressed every three hours to leave a time mark on the paper.

The line between two of these marks is called the 'characteristic of barometric tendency' and is used by weather forecasters. The observer would first note if the pressure was lower or higher than three hours prior. Next, a code number would be chosen that best represents the three hour trace. There are nine possible choices (0 to 8) and no single code has preference over another. In the case of the graph on the barograph, one of two codes could be picked. An 8 (steady then decreasing) or 6 (decreasing then steady). The observer should pick the 6 because it represents the last part of the trace and is thus most representative of the pressure change.

In the bottom centre is the aneroid (large circular silver object). As the pressure increases the aneroid is pushed down causing the arm to move up and leave a trace on the paper. As the pressure decreases the spring lifts the aneroid and the arm moves down.

After three days the drum to which the graph is attached is removed. At this point the clockwork motor is wound and if necessary corrections can be made to increase or decrease the speed and new chart is attached.

Images of barographs

File:MUGGIANU Jean-Marie IMAG0002-1.jpg
Capsule pile and linkage. This barograph can be seen to have five aneroid capsules stacked in series.
File:MUGGIANU Jean-Marie IMAG0010.jpg
A stationary barograph without its case

Template:Met inst

Template:Commons


cs:Barograf de:Barograph