The Big Squeeze

A Nature of Science book which tells the story of scientists growing understanding of the theories of atmospheric pressure and vacuums.

The story starts with ancient civilisations use of wind pressure and 'squeezed air' and goes on to describe the use of pumps, the confirmation that vacuums exist and the use of these theories to create a barometer. The story ends with the discoveries by William Harvey and Robert Hooke about blood pressure and the squeeze produced by the heart.

The chapters are:

1. Wind, breath and sqeezed air
2. Lots of different pumps
3. Asking questions and doing experiments
4. Torricelli makes a barometer
5. Up and down the mountain
6. Making air pumps
7. Pressure in living things

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• URL: http://stem.org.uk/rxwu