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Why do people use alcohol or mercury in the thermometer instead of water?
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
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.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
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Does mercury from thermometer kill a person?
Well, someone would need to ingest a large amount or inhale an ever larger amount of Hg to face serious and immediate risk of death. The mercury that is inside a thermometer is the pure metal, which is not the most toxic form of Hg. Someone could probably get killed by contact with organic forms of mercury, such as methylmercury or phenylmercury, which are much more toxic.
Why can't you use mercury thermometers?
You can and many people do.
Is it true that you cannot overdose on alcohol or alcohol in combination with other substances?
It is called Alcohol Poisoning. People die from it each year. Especially dangerous when combined with barbiturates.
Does Methylated spirit leave a residue?
It shouldn't, if it really is methylated spirit (a mixture of methanol and ethanol). However, some people... unfortunately very likely the same ones who tend to call it "methylated spirit" instead of "denatured alcohol", or even better give an actual formula... use the term generically for any denatured alcohol, including those that do leave a residue.
What are the uses for element mercury?
Thermometers and Barometers mostly. Because of it's low melting point and high density, it's very sensitive to weather, therefore making it widely used in weather tools. It is also used in flourescent bulbs and street lights. Because it is a good conducter of electricity, it's used in tilt switches. These are the only uses i know of, I'm sure there is more just because mercury is such a cool element, but i hope this helped.
The function of a Mercury thermometer?
to tell old people that have a mercury thermometer what the temperature is
Why do people use alcohol in thermometers instead of water?
Firstly, mercury has a freezing point of about -38Co. So a mercury thermometer cannot be used below this. Alcohols have a much lower freezing point, some around -100Co . Thus they are useful at much lower temperatures. Though alcohols are usually colourless, they can easily be dyed, usually red or blue. Alcohols however have lower boiling points, and this limits the maximum temperature at which they may be used.
How do you know if its mercury or alcohol your thermometer broke in and around the pool Help?
Mercury is a metal so it will sink to the bottom of the pool where an alcohol will float. Actually, it's more likely that alcohol will simply disperse into the pool; low molecular weight alcohols are extremely soluble. A simpler way to tell is the color: mercury is silver and looks, well, metallic; alcohol in thermometers is generally colored either red or blue simply to make it easier to see. (A lot of people think mercury is red, but it isn't. Some mercury COMPOUNDS such as cinnabar are red, but those are not used in thermometers.) The fact that the liquid in the thermometer is metallic does not necessarily mean that it is mercury; it might be a gallium alloy. However, since mercury is toxic, if you're not sure it's probably safer to assume that it was mercury and treat the spill accordingly.
Why is an alcohol thermometer better than mercury in the freezer?
Dropped mercury thermometers account for almost half of the spills that occur each year on campus. Rarely do people have the mercury spill kit required to clean up the half a gram of mercury that can escape from these thermometers. If someone drops a mercury thermometer in your lab, you lose time, money, and possibly your clothing or equipment. Instead, recycle your mercury-filled thermometers through EH&S and we'll deliver a free alcohol-filled thermometer in exchange. Our alcohol thermometers are semi-submersible and measure from -20 to 110ºC to within 1º. They perform most routine laboratory functions that mercury thermometers are used for, such as measuring the temperature of water baths or ambient air. And best of all, when you drop one, all you have to do is wipe up the liquid with a paper towel and throw it away, and place the broken glass in your lab glass bin.
What is the best thermometer to use on people?
An aural (in ear) thermometer is a good modern device, and measures the temperature in the outer ear. It is more expensive than a mercury clinical thermometer, but is simpler to prepare between patients, and completely avoids the problems of broken glass thermometers, and spilt mercury. Mercury clinical thermometers are however quite cheap.
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 does a clinical thermometer not start at 0 degrees celsius?
For sensitivity, a thermometer should only display the range that is required. Starting at around 35C up to 45C covers the whole range of temperatures that people might record. If the range had to be 0C - 100C, it would make it very hard to read the temperature accurately. Clinical thermometers use alcohol while lab thermometers use mercury,while alcohol has a freezing point of -112 o c mercury has freezing point of -39 o c
Why clinical thermometer is jerked before using it again?
If you have an old thermometer that has mercury, then the shaking makes all of the mercury flow to the bottom of the thermometer. Then, you can get a better reading. The current digital ones work differently. Thermometers used for taking people temperatures are a special kind that go up with heat but don't go down with cold. So you have to shake a thermometer before taking your temperature to make the reading go down below your own temperature. Then the thermometer can go up again to read your temperature.
What substances are in a thermometer?
Red and blue coloured alcohols are the most common in modern times, although mercury was used for a long time before people figured out how toxic it was.
What did Galileos thermometer do to people?
Do to people really? WOW, the thermometer doesn't DO anything to people! Your so smart (being sarcastic) The thermometer is not called "Galileo's thermometer" Its called "The Galilen Thermometer" You should pay attension in school more, so you wouldnm't have to ask this question.
How was the thermometer invented?
Various people have credited the invention of the thermometer but the thermometer was not a single invention, however, but a development. Related Link:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermometer
Why is mercury no longer used in thermometer?
Mercury, if it enters your body, causes severe brain problems, and is usually deadly, so it is a poisonous material. it is no longer used in thermometers because thermometers were breaking and too many people were dying.
