Blaise Pascal and the Torricelli Experiment

This experiment is based on actual experiments performed by Blaise Pascal, one of the foremost scientists and Christian apologists of the 1600's. Pascal once wrote: "According to the doctrine of chance, you ought to put yourself to the trouble of searching for the truth; for if you die without worshipping the True Cause, you are lost." He also wrote: "Not only do we know God by Jesus Christ alone, but we know ourselves only by Jesus Christ."
You can copy the lab sheet below into a word processing program and use for your own experiment.

The Torricelli Experiment:

Performed by:_____________________________

Date:________________

The Problem: What happens to the water in a water-filled tube that is turned upside-down and submerged in water?

The Hypothesis:

The Experiment: You will need a test tube or a medicine spoon that is shaped like a test tube, and a glass. Completely fill the test tube or medicine spoon with water. Fill the glass half full of water. Put your finger over the top of the test tube and quickly turn it upside down and submerge it in the water in the glass. Remove your finger. Does the column of water in the test tube run out? Now lift the test tube up above the water in the glass. Does the water run out now? Try the experiment several times until you get consistent results. Record your results under "Observations" below. You may not be sure what to write as the "conclusion", but you can find more information in the encyclopedia under "Torricelli" or read A Piece of the Mountain: the Story of Blaise Pascal to learn about the experiment that he performed. Can you guess why the Torricelli tube acted as it did?

Observations:

Interpretation:

Conclusion: