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To measure the temperature calibrated in the thermometer.

Mercury as a liquid reacts well to temperature changes. It expands as it gets warmer, so thermometers measure the rise of the mercury to measure temperature.

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7y ago
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12y ago

because mercury is very sensitive to very small change in temp. due to its high density it shows minute changes in the thermometer scale. also it do not stick to the walls of the thermometer.

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Q: Why is mercury is preferred in ordinary thermometers?
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Related questions

Is there mercury in thermometers today?

In ordinary bulb thermometers, yes.


Are digital and clinical thermometers same?

no,digital thermometers don't have mercury whereas clinical thermometers have mercury.


What is the advantage between a bimetallic thermometer and an ordinary thermometer?

If you mean by an "ordinary" thermometer, a mercury thermometer, the bimetallic type can measure a far greater range of temperature (mercury freezes at -38oC and boils at 356oC making it useless in the polar regions or for measuring high temperatures).Bimetallic thermometers are also more robust; mercury thermometers are usually made from glass and are fragile.


Why is mercury not used in thermometers any more?

Mercury is not used in thermometers, because mercury is poisonous.


What is the state of mercury in a thermometers?

Mercury in thermometers is in a liquid state, since mercury is liquid at room temperature.


What is common in fishes and thermometers?

Mercury is common in both fish and thermometers. Although nowadays they make thermometers without mercury in them.


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?]


How are mercury thermometers used today?

Mercury thermometers are rarely used, except in lab thermometers. For human use, they have been replaced by dyed alcohol glass thermometers, or electronic digital thermometers.


What chemical element is used in thermometers?

the element used in termometers is Mercury.


Is Mercury used in thermometers?

In normal and some medical thermometers Mercury is used. That is why you may want to consider using electric thermometers which are more commonly used. They use no mercury.


What is the difference between digital and mercury thermometer?

Digital thermometers measure electrical resistance and Mercury thermometers measure thermal expansion.


Why do OSHA and EPA and the AMA all discourage the use of mercury filled clinical thermometers?

When mercury filled thermometers break, the mercury is released. Mercury is toxic to people, pets and the environment. There is a long history of mercury from broken thermometers and other medical devices being improperly dealt with, or even ignored. Since there are adequate replacements for mercury thermometers, OSHA, EPA, AMA and others discourage the use of mercury thermometers and encourage their replacement with thermometers using other technologies.