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Reasonably accurate since they are used in tight control situations where temperature tolerance must be monitored extremely well. Typical error values are not more than one one thousand of a single degree.

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Q: How accurate are ir thermometers?
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Different types of thermometers and their uses with pictures?

There are several types of thermometers. Clinical thermometers are used to measure the body temperature of the patient. Ear Thermometers make it an accurate point to measure the body temperature. Pacifier thermometers are used to check the body temperature of babies or infants. Underarm thermometers are kept in the underarms to measure the body temperature. Not to mention the food thermometers that are often used for checking the heat of the oil or pop up to let you know when the meat is done.


What are strip thermometers?

the thermometers which are used to find your temperature


What are the relative advantages and disadvantages of thermocouple and thermometer and mercury thermometer?

Thermocouples can measure a wide range of temperatures however accuracy is a common limitation. Thermometers give consistent results however they may become decalibrated easily. Mercury thermometers are extremely accurate but they cannot be used at temperatures below negative 38 degrees Celsius.


What metal does a thermometer contain?

Early thermometers, dating back over two hundred years BC (BCE), were made using air and water. Later, in the time of Galileo (16-1700s AD or CE), these devices were refined;Galileo used glass spheres containing alcohol to measure temperature, and today working 'Galileo' thermometers using alcohol-filled spheres suspended in water are available from retail outlets, mainly for ornamental use and as curiosities. They are attractive, though not to be considered especially accurate, and are more properly described as thermoscopes.The original commercially-available thermometers contained mercury. The mercury thermometer was first made by Prussian-born physicist and glass-blower, Daniel Fahrenheit in 1724. The specifically clinical thermometer was invented in 1866 by British physician, Sir Thomas Albutt.Electronic thermometers are commonly used now for clinical, industrial and domestic purposes; these produce a digital display and are safer and more accurate than the mercury-in-glass thermometers.The sale of mercury thermometers is banned in many countries and US states; this is causing quite a few problems because they are still required under many industrial and government standards worldwide.Resistance temperature detectors (RTDs) contain platinum, either in the form of wire or film. These thermometers also have a digital display.RTDs are highly accurate and are frequently used in testing the results of other thermometers to industrial standards.


Compare the expansion of mercury with alcohol?

Mercury expands more evenly than alcohol. This is why thermometers that contain mercury are more accurate than those that contain alcohol. However, alcohol freezes at a temperature much lower than mercury, so it is better used in thermometers in extreme cold conditions.

Related questions

Are IR thermometers best for taking baby's temperature?

"IR thermometres are quick and easy to use for babies. They are very accurate when used correctly, and can be easier to use than the traditional methods. On the other hand, IR thermometres are often much more expensive than traditional types as well."


Is an instant thermometer as accurate as other thermometers?

Instant thermometers are just as accurate as regular thermometers. There is another plus to them as well which is they take the temperature a lot quicker.


What applications require an infrared thermometer?

IR thermometers are typically used when contact or thermocoupled thermometers wouldn't work or wouldn't be accurate. Some examples I can think of include: when the object whose temperature you want to take is moving, if the object is in a vacuum, or if the object could be contaminated by contact.


Which type of thermometer gives the least accurate reading of all thermometers?

disposable thermometers


Why are digital thermometers used these days?

Digital thermometers have replaced mercury thermometers because mercury is toxic. [Personal commentary: digital thermometers are not accurate and mercury thermometers are so how many people are being harmed by not knowing their temperature versus how many would be harmed by the mercury if accurate thermometers were still used?]


Why mercury thermometers are more accurate?

It is because it is electric


Why Mercury thermometer is used domestically and alcoholic thermometer in lab?

Alcoholic thermometers are more accurate than mercury thermometers


Why do you use thermometers to measure temperature instead of your hands?

because it is more accurate


Which type of thermometer give the least accurate reading of all?

disposable thermometers


How accurate is a thermometer?

There are a variety of thermometers, and they can be extremely accurate. Sometimes scientists need to measure temperature to the thousandth of a degree Kelvin.


Are electronic thermometers more reliable than a standard thermometer?

Electronic thermometers and standard thermometers are equally accurate. In terms of reliability, the standard thermometer wins. Why? Because it doesn't have any batteries to go dead.


What are thermometers that measure you fever called?

They are called clinical thermometers. Their range varies from 35 degree celsius to 42 degree celsius. This is to get a accurate reading of the temperature.