We often hear in weather forecasts about atmospheric pressure, which changes frequently. Atmospheric pressure can affect the weather and the well-being of people. What is atmospheric longtime and where does it come from on our planet?

To explain what atmospheric pressure is, first of all it is worth recalling what the Earth's atmosphere is. The atmosphere of our planet consists of a gaseous mass, which is commonly called air. Air is transparent and hardly felt, but air is a material object that has weight. It is believed that the boundary of the atmosphere is 1300 kilometers above the earth's surface.

As with other objects that are attracted by the planet's gravitational force, the gaseous medium of the atmosphere is also attracted to the surface. Thus, we can conclude that every object on the surface of our planet is pressed from above by a gaseous mass 1300 kilometers high. It is this pressure that is commonly called atmospheric pressure. Scientists have calculated that 15-18 tons of atmosphere presses on each person, but inside our body the pressure is equal to the average atmospheric pressure, therefore, at an atmospheric pressure of 760 mm Hg. pillar, we do not experience any discomfort, but when the pressure increases or decreases, we can feel a worsening of the condition, which is especially felt by the elderly, meteosensitive people suffering from chronic diseases. Malaise, headache, exacerbation of diseases may develop.

Since the gas is volatile, its pressure is practically not noticed, but it is there. Pressure not only affects a person, but also affects the weather. Low pressure zones are called cyclones, and high pressure zones are called anticyclones. Cyclones can bring wind, precipitation, thunderstorms, and anticyclones - cloudless weather and clear skies. Due to the fact that the pressure of the atmosphere is constantly changing, this pressure also affects the variability of the weather. Normal atmospheric pressure is called a pressure of 760 mm Hg. Art.

Various areas of low and high pressure, which can change over time and move, range from 641 to 816 mm Hg. column, however, there are real records that scientists record, in particular, in a tornado, where the pressure can drop to 560 mm. mercury column.

The pressure is measured using a mercury barometer - a glass tube with mercury. This barometer was invented in the middle of the 17th century by the mathematician and physicist Evangelista Torricelli and Vincenzo Viviani. Then Torricelli proved that air has weight and presses on the surface of the planet.