What is the primary purpose of a barometer?

What is the primary purpose of a barometer?

• A. To measure atmospheric pressure
• B. To measure wind speed
• C. To measure water depth
• D. To measure air temperature

Answer: (A)

A barometer is used to detect the pressure of the air around us. Its main purpose is to measure atmospheric pressure, which tells us how heavy the air column above us is. This measurement is useful for weather forecasting and understanding altitude changes, since rising pressure usually means fair weather and falling pressure can indicate storms approaching. Other instruments do different jobs: an anemometer measures wind speed, a depth gauge or sounding line measures water depth, and a thermometer measures air temperature.

A barometer is used to detect the pressure of the air around us. Its main purpose is to measure atmospheric pressure, which tells us how heavy the air column above us is. This measurement is useful for weather forecasting and understanding altitude changes, since rising pressure usually means fair weather and falling pressure can indicate storms approaching. Other instruments do different jobs: an anemometer measures wind speed, a depth gauge or sounding line measures water depth, and a thermometer measures air temperature.