How to Use a Straw in a Homemade Barometer

Make a homemade barometer, an instrument used to measure atmospheric pressure, from easy to find materials. Using this instrument you can predict short term changes in local weather. Know whether to look for sunny skies (high pressure) or cloudy days (low pressure).

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Mason jar
• Balloon
• Match stick
• Rubber band
• Drinking straw
• Tape or glue

1. Take a balloon and and attach it over the mouth of the mason jar. You may need to cut off the bottom of the balloon to accomplish this. Make sure the balloon remains snug by putting a rubber band around it to hold it in place.

2. Glue or tape the matchstick to one end of the drinking straw.

3. Glue or tape the other end of the drinking straw to the middle of the balloon.

4. Put a cardboard chart behind the barometer if you are going to keep the barometer stationary.

5. Check the weather report to find out what the current pressure is and label it on your chart where the match stick is located. After doing this for a few days you will be able to acurately tell barometric pressure with your own homemade barometer.