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What property of mercury makes it a good material for thermometer?
Wiki User
∙ 7y ago
It's a liquid over a fair range of temperatures and it expands and contracts noticeably with small changes in temperature.
Wiki User
∙ 7y ago
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Why should not use water in the thermometer?
One of the problems with water in a thermometer is the effect of capillary action - the column of water tends to "stick" to the sides of the thermometer and create a U-shaped surface at the top. This makes it very difficult to read the thermometer. Previously mercury was considered to be a good medium for thermometers, but this has been discontinued due to the health risks from a broken mercury thermometer; the current medium in thermometers is dyed ethanol or methanol.
Are alcohol thermometers better than mercury thermometers?
They both have advantages and disadvantages: A mercury-in-glass thermometer can measure high temperature (up to 357 0C, the boiling point of mercury; and its freezing point is -39 0C). An alcohol-in-glass thermometer can measure low temperature (down to -115 0C, the freezing point of alcohol; and its boiling point is 78 0C.) A mercury-in-glass thermometer can quickly response to temperature, while an alcohol-in-glass thermometer can only slowly response to temperature. However, mercury is poisonous and alcohol is NOT poisonous. Also mercury thermometers are not allowed on aircraft.
Is mercury explosive?
No, bit it can be used as a switch in a detonator for explosives. It is liquid and conductive and so movement makes the makes the material flow and bridge contacts completing a circuit and causing detonation.
Why do people use alcohol or mercury in the thermometer instead of water?
The main reason that mercury or alcohol is used in thermometers instead of water is due to the fluctuations that are seen in the boiling and freezing points of water which vary with pressure. Water is also used as a standard by which the thermometer is calibrated by. Alcohol's low freezing point makes it perfect for measuring low temperatures, but it's low boiling point means that high temperatures are hard to measure. Plus, it expands very nicely within the capillary tubes in which it is held. Mercury's low freezing point and high boiling point make it ideal for measuring most temperatures. However, mercury is also very expensive and dangerous.
What property of half-lives makes radioactive material so problematic?
Radioactivity is limited by the natural decay-time to stable isotopes and there is no known way to shorten a half-life.
What is the boiling point of the thermometer?
The question to ask is: What is the boiling point of mercury (as mercury is the substance within a thermometer, unless of course you are referring to the material that makes up the thermometer itself).You can simply google that.But...it's 356.7° C
What mineral makes up a thermometer?
the red part in a thermometer is mercury.
Why isn't mercury in thermometers any more?
I don't know to what extent mercury is still being used, but it makes sense to phase it out: mercury is extremely toxic. If a mercury thermometer breaks, you have to be careful not to breathe the vapors.I don't know to what extent mercury is still being used, but it makes sense to phase it out: mercury is extremely toxic. If a mercury thermometer breaks, you have to be careful not to breathe the vapors.I don't know to what extent mercury is still being used, but it makes sense to phase it out: mercury is extremely toxic. If a mercury thermometer breaks, you have to be careful not to breathe the vapors.I don't know to what extent mercury is still being used, but it makes sense to phase it out: mercury is extremely toxic. If a mercury thermometer breaks, you have to be careful not to breathe the vapors.
What makes mercury special that it can be used in a thermometer?
Mercury is a heavy metal also known as QUICKSILVER it is special because it is in a form of liquid
What makes mercury go up and down a thermometer?
the heat and temperature that causes it to rise and fall.
What makes mercury so special it can be used in a thermometer?
Mercury is a heavy metal also known as QUICKSILVER it is special because it is in a form of liquid
Give one property of metal foil which makes it a good material to use as a switch?
give me one property of metal that makes it a good material to connect the cell and bulb
Why is mercury used in a thermometer why not green water?
Water does not change as much in volume with temperature as much as Mercury does, which makes it more difficult to read temperature Changes on a scale.
What is mercury's mass made of?
It is made up of the material which makes up the planet.
Why a thermometer contain mercury not the other liquid?
because mercury has a very very cold freezing point which makes it ideal for measuring temperatures that you're likely to encounter on earth.
Why should not use water in the thermometer?
One of the problems with water in a thermometer is the effect of capillary action - the column of water tends to "stick" to the sides of the thermometer and create a U-shaped surface at the top. This makes it very difficult to read the thermometer. Previously mercury was considered to be a good medium for thermometers, but this has been discontinued due to the health risks from a broken mercury thermometer; the current medium in thermometers is dyed ethanol or methanol.
What property of glass makes it a good material for windows?
you use salt
