Evangelista Torricelli

Evangelista Torricelli (October 15, 1608 - October 25, 1647) was an Italian physicist and mathematician.

Torricelli's work in physics

The perusal of Galileo's Two New Sciences (1638) inspired him with many developments of the mechanical principles there set forth, which he embodied in a treatise De motu (printed amongst his Opera geometrica, 1644). Its communication by Castelli to Galileo in 1641, with a proposal that Torricelli should reside with him, led to Torricelli repairing to Florence, where he met Galileo, and acted as his amanuensis during the three remaining months of his life.

Related Topics:
Galileo - Two New Sciences - 1638 - 1644 - 1641 - Florence

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After Galileo's death Torricelli was nominated grand-ducal mathematician and professor of mathematics in the Florentine academy. The discovery of the principle of the barometer which has perpetuated his fame ("Torricellian tube", "Torricellian vacuum") was made in 1643. The torr, a unit of pressure is named after him.

Related Topics:
Florentine academy - Barometer - 1643 - Torr - Pressure

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