How to Read a Manometer A manometer is a device used to measure the pressure of a fluid, gas, or vapor. It is typically a U-shaped tube with one end connected to the source of the pressure and the other end open to the atmosphere. The difference in the height of the fluid in the two arms of the tube is proportional to the pressure being measured.
Importance, Benefits, and Historical Context Manometers are important tools in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, construction, and healthcare. They are used to ensure that pressure is within safe limits, to diagnose problems with machinery, and to calibrate other pressure-measuring devices. The first manometer was invented by Evangelista Torricelli in 1643.