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Water would theoretically work in a thermometer provided you were only interested in temperatures in water's liquid range. However:

Temperatures below the freezing point of water are not at all uncommon in many populated areas; and

Water has high surface tension and wets glass fairly well, so you might get droplets of water sticking to the sides of the tube.

Water will also start to expand after 4oC and below, which means the thermometer would say it's getting warmer when it's actually getting colder.

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14y ago

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