What does a manometer primarily measure?

A manometer is an instrument specifically designed to measure fluid pressure, typically in liquids or gases. It operates by balancing the pressure of the fluid being measured against a column of liquid, which allows for precise readings of the pressure in various applications, such as in hydraulic systems, gas pipelines, and HVAC installations.

The primary function of a manometer is based on the principle of hydrostatics, which states that the pressure at a certain depth in a fluid is proportional to the height of the fluid column above that point. Thus, by interpreting the height difference in the liquid column within the manometer, one can directly determine the pressure being exerted by the fluid.

While fluid velocity, density, and temperature are important parameters in fluid mechanics and can influence system dynamics, a manometer does not measure these directly. Instead, those measurements require different instruments such as flowmeters for velocity, hydrometers or densitometers for density, and thermometers for temperature. Hence, recognizing that the manometer’s core purpose is to quantify fluid pressure is fundamental for understanding its application in various engineering and operational contexts.