Objekt 23
Two Magdeburg hemispheres
Description
The Magdeburg hemispheres are used in an experiment demonstrating the effects of air pressure and vacuum. The air in the two hollow hemispheres is sucked out by a pump, creating a vacuum. The higher external pressure causes them to adhere to each other. Otto von Guericke (1602-1686) from Magdeburg performed this spectacular experiment in many places: After drawing off the air inside the two hemispheres, they could not be separated even with the help of two teams of horses.
Object description
England, probably 18th century
Brass
in the collection since 1821
Deposit Institute of Physics of the University of Basel, Phys. 37.
Inv. 1986.419.1. and 2.