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Magdeburg Hemispheres

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https://digital.library.illinois.edu/items/a2ea1df0-0d92-0135-23f6-0050569601ca-c
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Descriptive Information

Title
Magdeburg Hemispheres
Description
The two brass Magdeburg Hemispheres are twelve feet in diameter.
Interpretation
These are replicas of the von Guericke Hemispheres that Otto von Guericke (1602-1686) used in Magdeburg Germany to demonstrate the strength of a vacuum. Von Guericke calculated that a force of 2,686 pounds was necessary to overcome the atmospheric pressure holding the spheres together after the air inside was evacuated with a pump. In 1654, in a demonstration before Emperor Ferdinand III, the hemispheres were pulled apart only after the application of sixteen horses, four pair on each side.
Lesson Plans / Themes
How We Learn About Communities  
Learning Standards
  • 13 Science, Technology and Society  
  • 10-12 Science  
  • 16 History  
Author or Creator
Guericke, Otto von, 1602-1686  
Source
  • Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago, Accession File #32.1261  
  • Sedeen, Margaret Ed. Discovers & Inventors. Washington D.C.: National Geographic Press, 1988. Sigvard, Strandh. History of the Machine. New York: A & W Publishers, Inc., 1979  
Subject / Keywords
  • Scientific demonstrations  
  • Physics  
  • Scientific experiments  
  • Madgeburg (Germany)  
  • Vacuums  
  • Scientific inventions  
Temporal Coverage
1926/1931
Collection Publisher
Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago
Rights
Copyright Not Evaluated
Resource Identifier
31.1261
Date Created
8-19-02
Collection Title
Teaching with Digital Content (Cultural Heritage Community)
Collection
Teaching with Digital Content (Cultural Heritage Community)
TitleMagdeburg Hemispheres
DescriptionThe two brass Magdeburg Hemispheres are twelve feet in diameter.
InterpretationThese are replicas of the von Guericke Hemispheres that Otto von Guericke (1602-1686) used in Magdeburg Germany to demonstrate the strength of a vacuum. Von Guericke calculated that a force of 2,686 pounds was necessary to overcome the atmospheric pressure holding the spheres together after the air inside was evacuated with a pump. In 1654, in a demonstration before Emperor Ferdinand III, the hemispheres were pulled apart only after the application of sixteen horses, four pair on each side.
Lesson Plans / ThemesHow We Learn About Communities  
Learning Standards
  • 13 Science, Technology and Society  
  • 10-12 Science  
  • 16 History  
Author or CreatorGuericke, Otto von, 1602-1686  
Source
  • Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago, Accession File #32.1261  
  • Sedeen, Margaret Ed. Discovers & Inventors. Washington D.C.: National Geographic Press, 1988. Sigvard, Strandh. History of the Machine. New York: A & W Publishers, Inc., 1979  
Subject / Keywords
  • Scientific demonstrations  
  • Physics  
  • Scientific experiments  
  • Madgeburg (Germany)  
  • Vacuums  
  • Scientific inventions  
Temporal Coverage1926/1931
Collection PublisherMuseum of Science and Industry, Chicago
RightsCopyright Not Evaluated
Resource Identifier31.1261
Date Created8-19-02
Collection TitleTeaching with Digital Content (Cultural Heritage Community)
CollectionTeaching with Digital Content (Cultural Heritage Community)

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Magdeburg Hemispheres
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