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Q: What is used in thermometers now instead of mercury?
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Why is Mercury used in old thermometers?

Mercury was used in old thermometers because mercury expands when it reaches a certain temperature, so it was a really good "gauge". Now, they stopped making thermometers with mercury as the liquid since it was very poisonous. i hope you liked the answer!


What liquid is inside thermometers?

If the liquid is silver, it is liquid mercury (Hg). If the liquid is red, it is coloured ethyl alcohol (C2H5OH).


Is mercury red in thermometers?

The planet Mercury is grey, similar in colour and general appearance to our moon. Red Mercury is a chemical made of Iodine and Mercury. It was used as a medicine a long time ago before people realised it was actually poisonous. It is either in the form Mercury(I) iodide or Mercury(II) iodide.


Why is only mercury is used in a thermometer?

Because mercury is the only liquid metal and liquids expand more than solids on heating.AnswerMercury is one of the few elemental substances that is liquid at room temperature. Like all substances, mercury linearly expands as temperature increases. Coupling these two properties, a thermometer is formed. By confining the mercury to a container of known dimensions, one can determine the ambient temperature based on how much volume a constant mass of mercury occupies. Because mercury expands very little relative to daily temperature changes, the cross section of thermometers must be small enough to accentuate this change in volume.It doesn't wet glassIt doesn't vaporize easily ( boils at 360 degree Celsius )It is opaque and easily seenIt is a better conductor of heat and responds more rapidly to changes in temperature1. Mercury does not wet glass, this makes the threadmove up and down without breaking. 2. It is a shining metal and easily seen.3. It is a liquid up to 300 deg C.Low freezing point and high boiling point.Mercury is a metal, and so it has a fairly high temperature expansion coefficient. It is also silver, so it is quite good visible in a glass pipe, and to top it off, it's a liquid, so it can flow upward in the measurement pipe while the mercury in the reservoir expands.AnswerMercury, like alcohol is reactive to heat and expands when heated and contracts when cooled. This causes the Mercury to move up and down the tube.ANSWERMercury or alchoholMercury is the only metal that is a liquid at room temperature, and is therefore the only metal that can be considered for a thermometer.Metals in general expand more than most other materials when heated, which makes it easier to see the differences with the naked eye.These two characteristics combined is the reason why mercury is suitable for thermometers.


What is in a thermometer and a barometer?

A thermometer measures temperature - most are now electric but they used to have alcohol or mercury in them. A barometer measures air pressure - they are now electric but used to have air in them (in a bellows with a spring).

Related questions

Why is Mercury used in old thermometers?

Mercury was used in old thermometers because mercury expands when it reaches a certain temperature, so it was a really good "gauge". Now, they stopped making thermometers with mercury as the liquid since it was very poisonous. i hope you liked the answer!


What metal is found in a thermometer?

The metal that was used in thermometers was mercury, however now alcohol is usually used.


What is some of the uses of Mercury?

Mercury has many uses but the first one that comes to mind, is the use for this metal in thermometers. Mercury is, to my knowledge, the only metal that can be a liquid at room temperature. This metal is also used in making other instruments such as barometers.


What liquids have been used in thermometers?

they used to use mercury but now they use a type of alcohal


What is Mercury used in?

Mercury was commonly used in thermometers and barometers. However, because it is poisonous, people are trying to use it in less things now.


What mercury used in?

Mercury was commonly used in thermometers and barometers. However, because it is poisonous, people are trying to use it in less things now.


What liquid is inside thermometers?

If the liquid is silver, it is liquid mercury (Hg). If the liquid is red, it is coloured ethyl alcohol (C2H5OH).


What is best known to be used in thermometers?

It depends on the thermometer. An old-style liquid thermometer might contain: * mercury (silvery) * alcohol (usually dyed red or blue for visibility) * an alloy of sodium and potassium (silvery) * an alloy of gallium, indium, and tin (silvery) * any of a number of other things depending on the temperature range to be measured Electronic thermometers contain a thermocouple plus electronics to turn the potential generated by the thermocouple into a temperature reading.


What changes has the thermometer went through?

Before thermometers use to have mercury in them and they are not harmful unless they are used properly. Mercury is harmful when it is not disposed of properly and if it spills. It is not used very much because it poses a threat to human health and the environment. Now most thermometers have alcohol in them, they work just as well as mercury thermometers but are more safe to use in case the thermometer breaks.


What is the difference between clinical thermometers and other mercury-in-glass thermometers?

Clinical thermometers are specifically designed for measuring human body temperature, while other mercury-in-glass thermometers can be used for various purposes such as measuring temperature in laboratories or industrial settings. Clinical thermometers typically have a narrower temperature range focused on human body temperature, while other thermometers may have a wider temperature range. Additionally, clinical thermometers are often designed with features like an easy-to-read scale and a flexible tip for comfort and safety during use.


Is mercury a pure or mixed substance?

Mercury is an element, which means it is pure. But sometimes it can probably have other metals or chemicals or impurities in it. Most thermometers use alcohol or are electronic now, mercury ones aren't used as much.


What do they use instead of mercury in thermometers?

There are a variety of cost-effective, mercury-free alternatives available at local pharmacies. These alternatives include digital, glass gallium-tin, and glass alcohol thermometers. Because of the health risks associated with mercury exposure from broken thermometer, it is very difficult any more to find glass mercury thermometers.