text: disadvantage and advantage of using water in a barometer? i have to research on water barometers. i would like to know (if possible) the length in millimeters the water in the barometer would be...hoping for a fast response because it is due tomorrow morning... see the below page for more info.  the question you asked is answered about 3/4 of the way down.  at sea level, the column of water would have to be 10.3 meters (33.9 feet), which is rather unwieldy for daily use, to say nothing of the fact that the barometer won't work in freezing temperatures.