Evangelista Torricelli: Pioneer in Physics and Inventor of the Barometer
Early Life and Education:
Evangelista Torricelli was born on October 15, 1608, in Faenza, a town in present-day Italy. He was the son of a poor family, and his parents died when he was young. Fortunately, he caught the attention of his maternal uncle, who recognized his intellectual potential and provided financial support for his education. Torricelli attended Jesuit schools, where he excelled in mathematics and science.
In 1627, Torricelli entered the University of Rome La Sapienza, where he studied mathematics under Benedetto Castelli, a disciple of Galileo Galilei. Torricelli quickly gained a reputation for his mathematical prowess, and Castelli introduced him to Galileo, leading to a mentorship that profoundly influenced his scientific career.
Association with Galileo:
Torricelli became Galileo’s secretary and assistant in 1632. During this time, Galileo was under house arrest, but Torricelli continued his scientific investigations. He collaborated with Galileo on various projects, contributing to the understanding of projectile motion and barometric phenomena.
Invention of the Barometer:
One of Torricelli’s most significant contributions was the invention of the mercury barometer in 1643. This device was crucial for measuring atmospheric pressure and demonstrating the existence of a vacuum. Torricelli filled a glass tube with mercury, closed one end, and inverted it into a dish of mercury. The mercury in the tube sank to a certain level, leaving a vacuum at the top. This established the principle of the barometer and provided a practical tool for measuring atmospheric pressure.
Work on Hydrodynamics:
Torricelli’s interest extended to fluid dynamics, and he made important contributions to the understanding of fluid flow. He investigated the speed of efflux of fluids through an orifice, laying the groundwork for hydrodynamics.
Academic Career:
In 1644, Torricelli succeeded Galileo as the Chair of Mathematics at the University of Florence. He continued his research in mathematics, physics, and engineering. Torricelli’s work laid the foundation for the development of calculus, and he made contributions to the understanding of projectile motion and the behavior of gases.
Death:
Evangelista Torricelli’s life was cut short when he died at the age of 39 on October 25, 1647. The cause of his death is believed to have been typhoid fever. Despite his relatively short life, Torricelli left a lasting legacy in the fields of physics and mathematics.
Legacy:
Torricelli’s invention of the barometer and his contributions to fluid dynamics had a profound impact on the understanding of atmospheric pressure and fluid behavior. His work paved the way for later developments in physics and engineering. The torr, a unit of pressure, is named in his honor.
Evangelista Torricelli’s innovative thinking and experimental approach made him a key figure in the Scientific Revolution. His legacy continues to influence the fields of physics and fluid dynamics to this day.
