Von Guericke, Otto
Published: September 7, 2006, 7:08 pm
Updated: September 7, 2006, 7:08 pm
This article has been reviewed by the following Topic Editor:
Peter Saundry
Otto von Guericke (1602-1686), a German physicist, engineer, and natural philosopher, invented the first air pump, which he used it to study the phenomenon of vacuums and the role of air in combustion and respiration. In 1654, von Guericke experimentally demonstrated the capacity of the atmosphere to do work and decisively refuted the long-held notion that it was impossible for a vacuum to exist. Using hollow copper spheres and an air pump of his own construction, Guericke demonstrated that pumping the air out of the sphere could create a partial vacuum. In 1663 he also invented an electric generator that generated static electricity by applying friction in the machine, although von Guericke did not recognize the effect as static electricity.
Further Reading
Otto von Guericke - Biography (Hebrew University of Jersalem, Institute of Chemistry)
Are you absolutely sure you want to delete this article? This process cannot be undone and is permanent.
Yes, Delete This Article
Are you absolutely sure you want to remove this article? This process cannot be undone and is permanent.
Yes, Remove This Article
Citation
Cutler J. Cleveland (Lead Author);Peter Saundry (Topic Editor) "Von Guericke, Otto". In: Encyclopedia of Earth. Eds. Cutler J. Cleveland (Washington, D.C.: Environmental Information Coalition, National Council for Science and the Environment). [First published in the Encyclopedia of Earth September 7, 2006; Last revised Date September 7, 2006; Retrieved May 18, 2013 <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Von_Guericke,_Otto>
The Author
Cutler J. Cleveland is Professor of Earth and Environment at Boston University, where he also is on the faculty of the Center for Energy and Environmental Studies. Professor Cleveland is Editor-in-Chief of the Encyclopedia of Energy (Elsevier, 2004), winner of an American Library Association award, the Dictionary of Energy (Elsevier, 2005), Handbook of Energy (Elsevier, forthcoming), and is the Founding Editor-in-Chief of the Encyclopedia of Earth. He is the recipient of the Adelma ... (Full Bio)
Otto von Guericke (1602-1686), a German physicist, engineer, and natural philosopher, invented the first air pump, which he used it to study the phenomenon of vacuums and the role of air in combustion and respiration. In 1654, von Guericke experimentally demonstrated the capacity of the atmosphere to do work and decisively refuted the long-held notion that it was impossible for a vacuum to exist. Using hollow copper spheres and an air pump of his own construction, Guericke demonstrated that pumping the air out of the sphere could create a partial vacuum. In 1663 he also invented an electric generator that generated static electricity by applying friction in the machine, although von Guericke did not recognize the effect as static electricity.
Further Reading
Otto von Guericke - Biography (Hebrew University of Jersalem, Institute of Chemistry)
Are you absolutely sure you want to delete this article? This process cannot be undone and is permanent.
Yes, Delete This Article
Are you absolutely sure you want to remove this article? This process cannot be undone and is permanent.
Yes, Remove This Article
Site Options
0 Comments
Add Comment