BAROMETER STORY
METHODS OF MEASURING THE HEIGHT OF A BUILDING WITH A BAROMETER:
Atmospheric Pressure diminishes 1 cm per 100 meters of ascent. So take a reading at the bottom and at the top of the building. Take the difference and calcluate.
Lower the barometer on a rope and measure the rope.
Drop the barometer and time its fall. S=1/2gt2 to calculate the height.
On a sunny day, measure the shadow of the barometer on the ground and the shadow of the building. Use proportions of right triangles and the height of the barometer to calculate the height of the building.
Going up the stairs, use the barometer as a meter stick to mark off on the walls the height of the building.
Tie a string to the barometer, use it as a pendulum to determine g at the street level and at the top of the building. The difference in g can be used.
Take the barometer to the superintendent of the building and say, "Sir, I will give you this fine barometer if you will tell me the height of this building".
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PULLEY STORY
Respected Sir,
When I got to the building, I found that the hurricane had knocked some bricks off the top. So I rigged up a beam with a pulley at the top of the building and hoisted up a couple of barrels full of bricks.
When I had fixed the building, there were many bricks left over. I hoisted the barrel back up again and secured the line at the bottom, and then went up and filled the barrel with extra bricks.
Then I went to the bottom and cast off the line.
Unfortunately, the barrel of bricks was heavier than I was and before I knew what was happening, the barrel started down, jerking me off the ground. I decided to hang on and halfway up I met the barrel coming down and received a severe blow on the shoulder.
I then continued to the top, banging my head against the beam and getting my finger jammed in the pulley.
When the barrel hit the ground it burst its bottom, allowing all the bricks to spill out.
I was now heavier than the barrel and so started down again at high speed. Halfway down, I met the barrel coming up and received severe injuries to my shins.
When I hit the ground I landed on the bricks, getting several painful cuts from the sharp edges.
At this point I must have lost my presence of mind, because I let go the line. The barrel then come down giving me another heavy blow on the head and putting me in the hospital.
I respectfully request sick leave.