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A condensing chamber (at the left) is a tank
into which air may be compressed (or condensed) to do experiments. The air
was pumped into it using a condensing syringe (at the right).
Among the experiments that can be done with compressed air are the demonstration of sound with a siren, spinning a Hero's engine (or reaction turbine), supporting a light ball on a jet of air, and blowing air between two parallel plates (they come together -- Bernoulli). The copper condensing reservoir at the University of Cincinnati is listed at $7.50 in the 1885 Queen catalogue. The condensing syringe is at Washington and Jefferson College in Washington, Penn., and is unmarked. However, a similar one in the Queen catalogue sold for $7.50 |
If the condensing chamber is filled part way with water that is then pressurized, the jet of water may be used to support a light ball; this is described on another page.
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This condensing syringe was bought by John Millington in
England prior to his move to Mexico in 1829. He later became the first Professor
of Natural Philosophy at the new University of Mississippi and held this
tenure from 1848 to 1853.
The apparatus is now at the University Museum in Oxford, Mississippi. |
The condensing chamber at the right is at Cornell University. |
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The condensing pump at the left is unmarked, and is at Case Western Resrve University in Cleveland, Ohio. |