Signedwooden base has a bone or ivory plaque: J. M. WIGHTMAN. / BOSTON.
FunctionTo demonstrate fluid dynamics, in particular those related to Torricelli's law (1643). is a theorem in fluid dynamics relating the speed of fluid flowing from an orifice to the height of fluid above the opening.
The law states that the speed v of efflux of a fluid through a sharp-edged hole at the bottom of a tank filled to a depth h is the same as the speed that a body (in this case a drop of water) would acquire in falling freely from a height h, i.e. v = sqrt{2gh}, where g is the acceleration due to gravity (9.81 m/s2 near the surface of the Earth). This expression comes from equating the kinetic energy gained, 1/2}mv2, with the potential energy lost, mgh, and solving for v.
Historical AttributesT. E. Faber (1995). Fluid Dynamics for Physicists. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-42969-6.
Stanley Middleman, An Introduction to Fluid Dynamics: Principles of Analysis and Design (John Wiley & Sons, 1997) ISBN 978-0-471-18209-2
Dennis G. Zill (14 May 2008). A First Course in Differential Equations. Cengage Learning. ISBN 978-0-495-10824-5.