GED Science Practice

What instrument is used to measure atmospheric pressure?

1. Autotroph

2. Auxin

3. Barometer

4. Bacteria

The correct answer is: Barometer

The correct answer is a device known as a barometer, which is specifically designed to measure atmospheric pressure. Atmospheric pressure is the weight of air in the atmosphere above a given point on the Earth's surface, and understanding it is crucial for various applications including weather forecasting and scientific research. The barometer operates on principles that relate to the weight of air. A common type of barometer is the mercury barometer, which consists of a glass tube filled with mercury. Atmospheric pressure pushes down on the mercury in the tube, causing it to rise or fall depending on the pressure changes in the atmosphere. This change can be measured to determine the current atmospheric pressure. The other options listed pertain to different concepts. An autotroph is an organism that produces its own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis, which has no relevance to measuring pressure. Auxin is a type of plant hormone that regulates growth and development in plants, again unrelated to atmospheric measurements. Bacteria are microorganisms that play various roles in ecosystems but do not play a part in measuring atmospheric pressure. Thus, a barometer is the appropriate instrument for measuring atmospheric pressure due to its design and function.