The pneumatics of Hero of AlexandriaHero, of Alexandria
History
The pneumatics of Hero of Alexandria
Hero, of Alexandria
Discoveries in science -- History; Inventions -- History; Pneumatics
Let there be an air-tight vessel provided with an open spout, and by
its side a thyrsus under which is a cup full of water: if the cup is
removed, as long as it is withdrawn, a small stream shall flow from
the mouth; but when the cup is pushed back, the spout shall run no
longer. Let A B (fig. 61), be the vessel described, having its neck
closed by the partition C D; from C D, and fitted air-tight in it, a
tube, E F, extends, about which lies another tube, K L, forming an
inclosed diabetes. With K L another tube, M N, communicates, of which
the mouth M is open, while the outer leg is placed in a cup, O X, into
which water has been poured until it is full; it is clear that so much
of the leg of the siphon as is in the cup will be filled at the same
time. Into the neck of the vessel A B a little water must be poured,
just enough to close all entrance for the air; and, when A B is full,
the spout P, though open, will not run, since the air has no means of
entrance, because of the water poured into the neck. But if the cup
is drawn slightly downwards, some portion of the leg of the siphon
which is in the cup must be emptied, and into the part emptied the
contiguous air will be drawn: this air will attract some of the water
which was poured into the neck, so that the water shall rise above
the mouth F; and hence, the air having found an entrance, the spout P
will run until the cup O X is pushed up again, causing the water to
return to its old position and to close the passage for the air so that
the spout will cease to flow. This will happen as often as the cup is
withdrawn and applied: it is necessary however that the cup be not
wholly drawn away, that the siphon leg may not be wholly emptied. Let
the tube M N be fashioned like a thyrsus, R N being its shaft: thus the
spectacle will be properly arranged.
62. _A Vessel which emits a Sound when a Liquor is poured from it._
[Illustration: Diagram of apparatus as described in text]
The construction of a flagon which utters a sound when liquid is forced
from it. Take a flagon (fig. 62), such as is about to be described,
the neck of which is closed by the plate A B, and the mouth by C D;
and through both these partitions, fitting into them air-tight, let
a tube, E F, be inserted. G H is the handle of the flagon, and K L a
tube placed in the opposite side of the neck, fitting closely into the
partition A B and far enough distant from C D to allow of the passage
of water: in C D let there be a small pipe M such as will utter sound.
The flagon may be filled through the tube E F, the air passing out
through the tube K L and the pipe M; and if we take the handle of the
flagon and incline it so as to pour out the contents, water will flow
out of the vessel through the tube E F, and into the neck B C through K
L: the air contained in the neck being forced out through M gives forth
a sound. There should be another hole in A B through which air may pass
again when the vessel is righted.
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