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Mercury expands when heated.

The majority of the mercury is contained in the bulb at the bottom and the expansion forces it to move upwards into the narrow column where the temperature scale is located. The expansion is very linear with temperature which makes it possible to relate the distance moved up the tube with the change in temperature.

Almost every material known to mankind expands when heated. Mercury and a few other liquids exist in a temperature range that is convenient for use in thermometers. (Mercury has a freezing point of −39 °C and boiling point of 357 °C.)

Mercury has the advantage of being visible, i.e. not transparent, but other liquids are sometimes colored with dye for use in a thermometer. Mercury will not deteriorate over time as happens with some dyed liquids.

Being a pure material, its physical properties are unambiguous and so amenable to standardization.

Unfortunately, Mercury has some toxic qualities that require can in its use.

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