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What liquid is advisable to use as liquid inside the thermometer mercury or alcohol?
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
Rather ironically, it depends on the temperatures involved. Most thermometers use Mercury. Partly, this is because the silver colour of the mercury make it easy to read, but mainly because they work over a useful range of temperatures for everyday use.
However, one problem with mercury is that its melting point is -38oC; so below that temperature the thermometer would freeze - this makes it unsuitable for use in very cold environments.
Alchohol thermometers (usually ethanol is used) work from around -115oC, so they are used in low temperature environments - the disadvantage with alcohol is that it vaporises at 78oC so it isn't useful in very hot environments.
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
Wiki User
∙ 6y agoDepends.
Mercury doesn't evaporate, remains visible, and has good thermal expansion. All things that makes it good to use.
But it's quite poisonous and can freeze at Arctic temperatures.
Alcohol is far less poisonous and have a lower freezing Point.
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What is the measurement of theormeter?
A thermometer is used to measure temperature by the movement of a substance called mercury inside a sealed tube
What are the kinds of thermometer used to measure air temperature?
The instrument usually used to measure air temperature is the maximum minimum thermometer. It consists of a U shaped tube with bulbs at each end and mercury at the bottom. Air heats or cools the bulbs causing the air inside to expand or contract, therefore pushing or pulling the mercury upwards or downwards.
How can you tell if a lab thermometer contains mercury a toxic substance?
Just look at the rise or drop in the level of the liquid inside (mercury), which is usually colored red or blue or yellow, it's definitely easy and if it's grey, pay close attention. Look across for the calibrated reading and record in degree Celsius.More Detail: After taking the person's temperature, hold the thermometer up to a light where you can see the mercury line and the numbers. The higher the temp, the higher the mercury line will go. You will have to turn (rotate) the thermometer until you can clearly see the number and the lines between the numbers, much like on a ruler. The thermometer will have whole numbers, but not all of them have all of the numbers. The point at which you see where the mercury end is what the temperature is.For example, mine starts at 96, then goes to 98, then 100, etc. There are lines between the numbers 96 and 98, indicating 97, 99, etc., and there are also lines indicating the degree of the temperature in 10ths. If you take a person's temperature, and they have a fever of 99.8, then the end of the mercury line will be two lines below 100 degrees. If they have a fever of 100.5, then the mercury line will be five lines past the number 100. Most thermometers in the U.S. are in Fahrenheit, which will give you a different reading than one that measures the temperature in Celsius, so be sure you know which type you have.
Do a Clinical thermometer needs a magnet?
No, a clinical thermometer does not need a magnet. You may be thinking of a Maximum/Minimum Thermometer which has a U-tube containing mercury which expands and contracts as the temperature changes. Each arm of the U-tube contains mercury upon the upper surface of which are tiny floats made of steel (which floats on mercury) with tiny springs on their sides so that they grip the tube inside when the mercury does not move them any more. One of the floats records the highest temperature to which it was pushed, and the other indicates the coldest temperature to which it was pushed. So you are able to find out what the actual maximum and minimum temperatures were during the past 24 hours. So why do we need a magnet? It's purpose is to attract the steel floats back to their positions just sitting on top of each mercury column.
What is a thermometer bore?
A bore refers to the extremely fine or narrow tube found in a thermometer. It is called a narrow bore or a capillary.
What is the mercury inside a thermometer?
usually a type of alcohol now
What is inside the glass tube from a thermometer?
either mercury or alcohol
What is the red stuff inside thermometers?
In most cases, the red stuff you see in a thermometer is either alcohol or mercury.
What is the liquid in the ball of the thermometer?
the liguid inside the thermometer is Mercury.
What is the liquid in thermometer's called?
Mercury the liquid inside thermometer is mercury.. but it is called thermometric liquid.
Why do you like Mercury?
i like mercury because it is inside a thermometer
Why does a thermometer have alcohol inside it?
it does not stick the wall of thermometer it expand regularly
What is the clear liquid inside a Galileo thermometer?
mercury
What is the name of the liquid in a thermometer?
The red liquid in a liquid-in-glass thermometer is mineral spirits or ethanol alcohol mixed with red dye. A grey or silver liquid inside the thermometer is mercury. Mercury thermometers are not used anymore due to the dangers associated with mercury.
How do you get connected to the mercury?
When thermometer is kept inside the mouth
What is the silver liquid inside of a thermometer called?
Mercury
Why has the liquid inside a thermometer changed?
Because it used to use mercury which posed a threat to human health. They now use alcohol which is much safer.
