Which scientist invented the first practical vacuum pump that allowed dramatic demonstrations of vacuum and atmospheric pressure?

Introduction / Context:
Vacuum pumps are devices that remove air and other gases from a sealed volume to create a partial vacuum. They are central to physics experiments, industrial processes and many technologies. This question checks whether you know which scientist created the first practical vacuum pump that made spectacular demonstrations of vacuum and atmospheric pressure possible, such as the famous Magdeburg hemispheres experiment.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The focus is on the first practical vacuum pump used in scientific demonstrations.
• The inventor carried out dramatic experiments to show the strength of atmospheric pressure.
• We assume basic awareness of early European scientists who worked on pressure and vacuum.

Concept / Approach:
To answer this question, recall seventeenth century experiments on air pressure. One German scientist designed a vacuum pump, evacuated two metal hemispheres and showed that teams of horses could not pull them apart due to atmospheric pressure holding them together. This story is often mentioned in school physics and general knowledge. By linking this famous demonstration to the name of the scientist, you can identify the correct option from the list.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Think about early scientists who studied air pressure and vacuums in Europe. Step 2: Recall the Magdeburg hemispheres experiment, where two evacuated hemispheres could not be pulled apart by horses. Step 3: Remember that this experiment and the associated vacuum pump are credited to Otto von Guericke. Step 4: Look at the options and find Otto von Guericke among them. Step 5: Confirm that the other names are associated with unrelated inventions, then choose Otto von Guericke as the answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Cai Lun is credited with inventing paper in ancient China. Melitta Bentz invented the coffee filter. William Henry Fox Talbot was an early pioneer of photography. Blaise Pascal worked on pressure and probability theory but is not credited with inventing the first practical vacuum pump. Only Otto von Guericke fits both the vacuum pump invention and the famous hemispheres experiment. This confirms that Otto von Guericke is the correct choice.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Cai Lun belongs to a different era and field, associated with papermaking rather than vacuum technology.
Melitta Bentz designed a coffee filtration system and founded a coffee company, not a vacuum pump.
William Henry Fox Talbot advanced photographic techniques but did not develop early pumps for vacuums.
Blaise Pascal studied pressure but did not construct the first practical vacuum pump and is known for Pascal law and mathematical work.

Common Pitfalls:
Students may confuse scientists who worked on pressure, such as Pascal or Torricelli, with those who built specific devices. Another pitfall is assuming that any scientist from the same century might have created the device mentioned. Careless reading of history or mixing up similar sounding names can also lead to incorrect answers. It is helpful to link each scientist with one or two signature experiments or inventions to keep them clear in memory.

Final Answer:
The first practical vacuum pump used for famous demonstrations of atmospheric pressure was invented by Otto von Guericke.