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For the temperature range of most interest for humans, silver is a solid that doesn't change as much in volume over temperature as Mercury does.

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Why can a mercury thermometer be used only at high temperatures?

A mercury thermometer can go down to -30 deg C


What is mercury used for in a thermometer?

The thermal expansion of mercury is proportional and linear to temperature.


I am a god and a planet and my name also denotes something used in a instrument for determining how hot you are who am i?

Mercury - the God of trade, the planet, and a thermometer.


What two substances are used in the thermometer's glass tube?

Most commonly, the two substances used in a thermometer's glass tube are mercury and alcohol. Mercury is traditionally used in older thermometers, while alcohol (typically colored red) is used in modern thermometers as a safer alternative.


How do you know if its mercury or alcohol your thermometer broke in and around the pool Help?

Mercury is a metal so it will sink to the bottom of the pool where an alcohol will float. Actually, it's more likely that alcohol will simply disperse into the pool; low molecular weight alcohols are extremely soluble. A simpler way to tell is the color: mercury is silver and looks, well, metallic; alcohol in thermometers is generally colored either red or blue simply to make it easier to see. (A lot of people think mercury is red, but it isn't. Some mercury COMPOUNDS such as cinnabar are red, but those are not used in thermometers.) The fact that the liquid in the thermometer is metallic does not necessarily mean that it is mercury; it might be a gallium alloy. However, since mercury is toxic, if you're not sure it's probably safer to assume that it was mercury and treat the spill accordingly.

Related Questions

Is the silver used inside the thermos toxic?

What looks silver in a glass thermometer is actually mercury, which is toxic.


What is the name of the silver metal in a thermometer?

The silver-colored liquid inside a thermometer is typically mercury, which is a heavy metal that expands and contracts with changes in temperature, allowing the thermometer to measure and display the temperature accurately.


What is Mercury thermometer use to measure?

A mercury thermometer is used to measure temperature.


Why silver cannot be used in a glass thermometer?

Silver has a lower coefficient of thermal expansion compared to the glass in a thermometer. This means that as temperature changes, silver would not expand or contract at the same rate as the glass, leading to inaccurate temperature readings. Additionally, silver could react with substances in the thermometer and corrode over time, affecting its durability and performance.


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.


What liquids are used in thermometer?

Mercury and alcohol


Why does Mercury in the the thermometer rise?

Mercury rises in a thermometer when the temperature increases because mercury expands as it heats up. This expansion of the mercury column inside the thermometer is used to measure the temperature of the surrounding environment.


Why can a mercury thermometer be used only at high temperatures?

A mercury thermometer can go down to -30 deg C


Why should you use only mercury in thermometer?

Actually, you should NOT. Mercury is very toxic.


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 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.