answersLogoWhite

0

Can breaking a thermometer harm you?

Updated: 5/24/2024
User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago

Best Answer

Breaking a Mercury thermometer can be harmful as mercury is toxic. It is important to clean it up carefully using gloves and avoid touching the mercury with bare hands. If mercury is ingested, inhaled, or comes into contact with skin, it can lead to health issues, so it's best to contact a professional for cleanup.

User Avatar

AnswerBot

2mo ago
This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Can breaking a thermometer harm you?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Continue Learning about Physics

What is the most dangerous thermometer if it breaks?

A mercury thermometer is the most dangerous if it breaks because mercury is a toxic substance that can harm human health and the environment. If a mercury thermometer breaks, it is important to follow proper cleanup procedures to avoid exposure to the mercury.


How do you tell how hot or cold something is?

use a thermometer.We can feel how hot or cold something is. However, sometimes things are just too hot or cold for us to feel safely. At other times we need to know exactly how hot or cold something is. When we need to measure temperature correctly we need to use an instrument called a thermometer. This measures temperature in degrees Celsius [sometimes called centigrade] or degrees Fahrenheit. There are different types of thermometers for different situations. A medical thermometer, for example, needs to be very accurate. It measures in fractions of degrees. When we are ill, even tiny changes in temperature are important. Some thermometers use a liquid that moves up a very fine glass tube. Most room thermometers, and outdoor thermometers are like this. The liquid is either mercury [ which is poisonous] or coloured alcohol. As liquids get warmer they expand [get bigger], and move up the tube. Water expands too, but not as much as alcohol and mercury. Thermometers that might be used by small children are not made of glass. They use a digital display which lights up the temperature. Inside the displays are chemicals that change colour according to the temperature.


Why constriction is made in clinical thermometer?

The constriction in a clinical thermometer allows for expansion and contraction of the liquid inside without separating the column of liquid. This ensures accurate temperature readings by preventing the liquid from breaking and forming air bubbles.


What is the plural of thermometer?

The plural of thermometer is thermometers.


What do you call an ear thermometer?

An ear thermometer is commonly referred to as a tympanic thermometer.

Related questions

Can you eat meat after breaking the meat thermometer?

You shouldn't, there may be glass and chemicals in the meat.


Which is more better to use a glass thermometer or a plastic thermometer?

There is no difference in the effectiveness of glass or plastic. Glass is more fragile for breaking but easier to keep clean, plastic is safer for not breaking, and harder to keep clean longer. It is a personal choice.


What is the most dangerous thermometer if it breaks?

A mercury thermometer is the most dangerous if it breaks because mercury is a toxic substance that can harm human health and the environment. If a mercury thermometer breaks, it is important to follow proper cleanup procedures to avoid exposure to the mercury.


How do you tell how hot or cold something is?

use a thermometer.We can feel how hot or cold something is. However, sometimes things are just too hot or cold for us to feel safely. At other times we need to know exactly how hot or cold something is. When we need to measure temperature correctly we need to use an instrument called a thermometer. This measures temperature in degrees Celsius [sometimes called centigrade] or degrees Fahrenheit. There are different types of thermometers for different situations. A medical thermometer, for example, needs to be very accurate. It measures in fractions of degrees. When we are ill, even tiny changes in temperature are important. Some thermometers use a liquid that moves up a very fine glass tube. Most room thermometers, and outdoor thermometers are like this. The liquid is either mercury [ which is poisonous] or coloured alcohol. As liquids get warmer they expand [get bigger], and move up the tube. Water expands too, but not as much as alcohol and mercury. Thermometers that might be used by small children are not made of glass. They use a digital display which lights up the temperature. Inside the displays are chemicals that change colour according to the temperature.


Why constriction is made in clinical thermometer?

The constriction in a clinical thermometer allows for expansion and contraction of the liquid inside without separating the column of liquid. This ensures accurate temperature readings by preventing the liquid from breaking and forming air bubbles.


Is breaking a hand a good prank?

Not hardly! Perhaps FAKING breaking a hand might be a decent prank but any prank that results in actual physical harm is assault, not a prank.


What are the uses of ear thermometer?

The eardrum, because it is recessed and less affected by external temperatures, is an extremely accurate point to measure body temperature. It is actually quicker than using a traditional glass medical thermometer. with the risk of the glass tube breaking.


Why the doctor drops the thermometer in a antiseptic solution?

Because it has just been in your mouth, which has many types of bacteria inside. This could harm someone else if it gets into them.


What happens when a dog eats the tip of a digital thermometer?

The tip of the digital thermometer is made lead, metal, and more stuff that could harm a dog without you even knowing it. My advice would be to take your dog to your local (or your regular) vet immediately ask him what the harm is, and do we need surgery.


What are the types of thermometer?

Celsius, Fahrenheit, and Kelvin.


How is it illegal to have drugs in your possession if its not stolen no harm was cause to any one else?

It shouldn't be a crime but the law is breaking the law


Origin of the word thermometer?

Thermometer