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For a thermometer we need a liquid which properly expands and contracts according to the temprature. Water doesn't has that property, i.e. the expansion in water is to small to be used as a liquid in theremometer.
Obie Ondricka
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoI would guess it is probably due to the fact that water has a none linear thermal expansion (Its thermal expansion coefficient at 20C is not the same as at 90C). Also, at atmospheric pressure, water is only liquidus over a narrow temperature range of 100C which limits its usefulness. Further it has massive problems at phase transitions- for instance when it turns to a gas it consumes a lot of energy (latent heat). A thermometer should have a nice linear response to a rise in temperature. Mercury is a better choice since it doesnt have any phase transitions in the temperature experience in most every day situations. -Just a bit toxic.
Wiki User
∙ 10y agoMercury or Alcohol is used as it has a good steady linear thermal expansion over quite a large temperature range.
Water does not behave the same, and it freezes at 0 degrees (and gets larger, thus it would break the glass) and it boils at 100 celcius, so that isn't much use either.
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoThree reasons:
- Not visible in small (capillary) glass tube
- Melting and boiling point to close at interesting temperature range -30 to +100oC
- Quite variable and small linear expansion factor (increase-length mm per increase-degree temp.) A 'water' thermometer would behave rather strange beneath 4oC: expanding!! at lower temp. before freezing at 0oC
But water&alcohol thermometers are known, and much safer to use: Mercury is toxic when it comes free from broken Hg-thermometers.
Wiki User
∙ 13y agobecause water is a normal liquid that they cannot measuring like temperature and because water has a oxygen that they can use in high measuring.
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What is the mercury called on a clinical thermometer?
The liquid in a clinical thermometer is called mercury. It is used to measure body temperature by expanding and rising within the thermometer.
What type of thermometer is widely used in science classrooms?
The most commonly used thermometer in science classrooms is the mercury thermometer.
Why alcohol used instead of mercury in modern thermometers?
Alcohol is used in modern thermometers instead of mercury because it is less toxic and poses less of a health and environmental risk if the thermometer breaks. Additionally, alcohol has a lower freezing point than mercury, allowing it to measure lower temperatures accurately.
Why water is not used in thermometer?
Well, Mercury can't freeze or evaporate at the temperature recorded on a standard thermometer. If water were used in a thermometer, we wouldn't be able to record any temperatures below its freezing point (0 degrees Celsius) or above its boiling point (100 degrees Celsius. Mercury has many unique properties. It is a liquid metal and as a metal it expands when heated. When the mercury is heated it rises in the thermometer. And markings on the glass indicate the temperature. Water does not do this. But now in this Digital World mercury has been loosing its importance just because everyone wants to use Digital Technology which provide fast and accurate reading and also safe in use, no doubt mercury provides an accurate reading of temperature but it is not fast and safe as compared to Digital Thermometer.
Why is mercury thermometer used in tropical climate?
Mercury flows in any condition by maintaining pressure same
What else can be used in a thermometer instead of mercury?
Alcohol, usually with a red dye in it
What was the first liquid used in a thermometer?
The first liquid used in a thermometer was likely alcohol, specifically ethanol. Alcohol has a low freezing point and a wide range of expansion when heated, making it suitable for use in early thermometers.
What is Mercury thermometer use to measure?
A mercury thermometer is used to measure temperature.
What material is used for thermometer?
Thermometers can be made from various materials, but common ones include glass, mercury, alcohol, and digital sensors such as thermocouples and resistive temperature detectors. Glass thermometers often contain mercury or alcohol as the temperature-measuring substance. Digital thermometers use semiconductor materials for temperature sensing.
The liquid most commonly used in a thermometer is either mercury or?
alcohol, such as ethanol or dyed ethyl alcohol. Mercury and alcohol are both used in thermometers due to their ability to expand and contract with temperature changes, allowing accurate measurement of thermal fluctuations. Mercury is less common now due to its toxicity.
What liquids are used in thermometer?
Mercury and alcohol
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.
Why can a mercury thermometer be used only at high temperatures?
A mercury thermometer can go down to -30 deg C
Who element used of the glass tube of clinical thermometer to measure thermometer?
mercury
How is mercury used in a thermometer?
toxic poison
What is the coloured substance used in thermometer?
The colored substance commonly used in a thermometer is typically either dyed alcohol or a non-toxic organic liquid like mercury. These substances expand and contract with changes in temperature, allowing the thermometer to measure temperature variations.
Why Mercury thermometer is used domestically and alcoholic thermometer in lab?
Mercury thermometers are used domestically because they are reliable, have a wide temperature range, and are easy to read. Alcoholic thermometers are used in labs because they are non-toxic and can measure a wide range of temperatures accurately. Additionally, they have a lower risk of shattering compared to mercury thermometers.
