Aerostatics

Aerostatics is the study of air at rest.

The Bible touches upon aerostatics in the Book of Job and evidences a remarkable understanding long before modern science. Yet, further evidence that the Ultimate Author of Scripture is outside of our Time-Space-Matter universe. 

Atmospheric Pressure

“For He looks to the ends of the earth, and sees under the whole heavens, to establish a weight (pressure) for the wind and apportion the waters by measure.”

Job 28: 24 – 25

The verse that is referenced in the field of aeronautics is also relevant to the field of aerostatics. Job 28 is profound in its grasp of the nature of air – namely, that it has weight (and mass).

In 1643, an Italian scientist by the name of Evangelista Torricelli invented the barometer. This is a device that enables atmospheric pressure to be measured. Atmospheric pressure is the result of the weight of the atmosphere (air) pushing down on itself and on the surface below it. For example, the atmospheric pressure at sea level is @ 14.7 pounds per square inch of surface area.

An easy way to see the effects of atmospheric pressure is to look at a hot air balloon. In a hot air balloon, a gas burner is used to heat air to a temperature of @ 212°F (100°C). Since hot air is lighter and less dense than the cool air around the balloon, the heated air causes the whole balloon to ascend (or gain altitude). When the air inside the balloon cools down, or when the hot air is let out, the balloon begins to descend (or lose altitude). In short, the reason a hot air balloon is able to stay aloft is because it “weighs” less than the air around it.

Isn’t it interesting that Job is penning the words to these verses more than 3,600 years earlier than Torricelli’s invention? Job is recognizing that air (wind) has weight and therefore mass. The Bible is accurate in its aerostatics.

Relevant Pioneer Quote

Another key pioneer in understanding air pressure (and the pressure of gases in general) was John Dalton (1766 – 1844). He is considered by many to be the Father of Atomic Theory as he demonstrated that the atomic weights of elements are proportionate to one another.  

In 1787, Dalton became interested in meteorology and began to make daily observations regarding the weather – eventually this list grew to contain over 200,000 entries. In 1803 Dalton published his law of partial pressures known as Dalton’s Law:

“When different gases combine, the resulting pressure will be the sum of what each gas gives individually”

John Dalton was also a Bible believing Christian.

“We should scarcely be excused in concluding this essay without calling the reader’s attention to the beneficent and wise laws established by the Author of nature to provide for the various exigencies of the sublunary creation, and to make the several parts dependent upon each other, so as to form one well-regulated system or whole.”

John Dalton

‘Experiments and Observations to Determine whether the Quantity of Rain and Dew is Equal to the Quantity of Water carried off by the Rivers and Raised by Evaporation’, Memoirs Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society, 1803, 5, part 2, 372.

The Bible is accurate in its understanding of aerostatics.