U-tube manometer
Quick Summary
(Left) A U-tube manometer, in which differential pressure is measured as the difference h between the high-pressure reading and the low-pressure reading, multiplied by the density of the liquid in the tube. (Right) A Bourdon-tube gauge, in which a coiled tube, flattened into the cross section shown and attached to a fixed block, is open to a pressurized fluid. The tube straightens slightly under pressure to a degree measured by a pointer.
A U-tube manometer is a simple instrument used to measure pressure differences. It consists of a U-shaped tube containing a liquid, typically mercury, oil, alcohol, or water. One end of the tube is exposed to one pressure, while the other end is exposed to a second pressure.12
The difference in the liquid levels between the two arms of the U-tube indicates the pressure difference. This difference is calculated by multiplying the difference in height by the density of the liquid. U-tube manometers are effective for measuring static pressures, especially when one of the pressures is atmospheric.12
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