Water Level Devices

The Water Level Devices are close-range devices that are typically used as evidence that the horizon is not at eye level. These devices are essentially a form of surveying, in which markers in the foreground are attempted to be aligned with something distant in the background.

Professional surveyors admit that the science is always in error.

One surveyor describes:

As any surveyor should understand, all measurements are in error. We try to minimize error and calculate reasonable tolerances, but error will always be there. Not occasionally; not frequently; always. In the interest of more accurate measurements, we look for better instruments and better procedures. —Paul Kunkel

The greater the distance one is trying to align the devices with, the greater the potential error. All devices need to be of superior calibration, leveling, and positioning. And even then, there is always error. In the Water Level experiments with the Horizon the goal is to align something very near in the foreground with something very distant in the background.

One may see the source of the concern by holding a grain of rice right up next to their eye and imagine trying to align it with an object that is 24 miles away. Your hand's position, stability, and alignment with center needs to be absolutely perfect, else large errors result. In these water level experiments if the alignment of the water is not perfectly level, and that there is a slight imperfection, then a small misalignment in the foreground will create a large result in the background. The below illustration demonstrates the matter.

Essentially, a very small angle misalignment with the line of sight of bodies in the foreground creates a very large error numerous miles away.

Water Not Level

Surface Tension

It has been found that the water in such devices are subject to surface tension and capillary action effects, and that the levels are not actually level and cannot be directly measured.

From Encyclopedia Britannica we see:

Capillary Action

As an example of capillary action and potential inconsistency, we find an example with a device called Pascal's Vase:

Foreign Substances

It is seen that it is also possible for foreign substances, such as from alcohol, dye, or impurities in the liquid to cause misalignment, since the weights of those fluids is not consistent with the weight of the water.

From a problem on Chegg Study we find a depiction of unknown liquids floating on water:

Tilted Surface Tension

One other concern is that any slight tilt of the containers or tubes is often not accounted for, under the theory that "water will find its level". It is assumed that the liquid will level out. It is seen that surface tension does not necessarily perfectly level out when tubes and containers are tilted.

Inconsistent Results

In one water level device the "leveled line" appears to change significantly in relation to the mountain in the background with different sequences, despite the line appearing to be leveled. See images 3 and 4:

Non-Level Water Device

A caged water device was built by a member of our forums, which showed that the alignment of the liquid in the device is susceptible to error. It was seen that the liquid did not align and that water did not find its level.

Three Chamber Water Level

A water level device was created with a third chamber to act as a control to the two other chambers. It was found that all three chambers could not be lined up and that the device could not be calibrated. Runtime: 5m25s

Horizon Line Height Variable

Additionally, it should be noted that it has been shown that the height of the horizon is susceptible to the atmolayer. On different days the height of the water in the background changes due to the opacity of the atmolayer. The following is provided by a member of our forums: