An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

An experiment carried out by Blaise Pascal in 1646 to demonstrate the hydraulic pressure. A long and narrow vertical pipe was connected to the content of a closed wooden barrel already full of water. He poured a small quantity of water into the pipe, whereby the height of the fluid within the pipe sharply increased. Due to the increase in hydrostatic pressure and → Pascal’s law, the barrel could leak and even burst.

See also: → pascal (Pa); M.E. barel, from M.Fr. baril, O.Fr. barril; → experiment