barograph
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barograph
Barograph
an automatic writing device for the continuous recording of atmospheric pressure. It is used in weather stations, as well as on airplanes and balloons to record the altitude (from the change in pressure).
Barographs are distinguished according to the operating principle of the sensor; there are aneroid and mercury (weight and floating) types. Aneroid barographs are the most widely used. The sensor consists of several aneroid boxes that are fastened together. When the atmospheric pressure changes, the boxes contract or expand, causing the cover to move up or down. This movement is transmitted to a pen, which traces a curve on a ruled tape. A millimeter of vertical recording corresponds to about 1 millibar (mbar; 1 mbar = 100 newtons per sq m). The barograph is divided into daily and weekly intervals according to the amount of time it takes for the drum to make a complete revolution. The operation of the barograph is checked by comparing it with a mercury barometer.
Highly sensitive barographs are called microbarographs. A change in pressure of 0.1 mbar corresponds to 1–3 mm of vertical movement of the pen.