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Typically, one-time direct injestion of the tiny amount of Mercury contained in an old thermometer is asymptomatic. Mercury however, like many other metals, does not easily leave the system, and so the dosage is cumulative. Chronic exposure is what you need to avoid.

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Why is Mercury used in old thermometers?

Mercury was used in old thermometers because mercury expands when it reaches a certain temperature, so it was a really good "gauge". Now, they stopped making thermometers with mercury as the liquid since it was very poisonous. i hope you liked the answer!


What fluids can be used to measure temperature?

Common fluids used to measure temperature include mercury, alcohol, and thermochromic liquids. Mercury is toxic and less commonly used now, while alcohol-based fluids are safer alternatives. Thermochromic liquids change color with temperature variations, making them visually helpful for temperature readings.


The way in which themometers measure temperature?

All 'old' thermometers measure temperature as a difference between the thermal expansion of two substances. Every substance expands at a slightly different rate. Mercury, for example, expands at a large and consistent rate; while glass hardly expands at all. This makes them a very accurate combination in a thermometer (at low temperatures, -20 to 150 deg C 'ish). Other thermometers use two strips of different metals stuck together, like a double layered cake. When heated or cooled one strip expands more than the other so the strips will curl, the amount of curl indicates how much the temperature has changed. The best substances for 'old' thermometers have a high (fast) thermal conductivity. Modern inferred (laser) thermometers measure the amount of heat being emitted by an object. Essentially it measures the total energy of photons being emitted by a given area. NB. the laser is just used to help aim the thermometer; it plays no part in the actual measurement.


Why clinical thermometer is jerked before using it again?

If you have an old thermometer that has mercury, then the shaking makes all of the mercury flow to the bottom of the thermometer. Then, you can get a better reading. The current digital ones work differently. Thermometers used for taking people temperatures are a special kind that go up with heat but don't go down with cold. So you have to shake a thermometer before taking your temperature to make the reading go down below your own temperature. Then the thermometer can go up again to read your temperature.


Does Mercury contain liquid metal?

So NO. Mercury does NOT have water on it. The conditions on Mercury sure rule it out. As Mercury slowly rotates, the side facing the Sun experiences extremely high temperatures. At noon on the equator, the temperature rises to 700 Kelvin. And then dips down to just 100 Kelvin at night, since there's no atmosphere to hold in the temperature. Any water on the surface of Mercury would boil away quickly and escape into space because of Mercury's low gravity, and the constantly blowing solar wind.

Related Questions

Why is Mercury used in old thermometers?

Mercury was used in old thermometers because mercury expands when it reaches a certain temperature, so it was a really good "gauge". Now, they stopped making thermometers with mercury as the liquid since it was very poisonous. i hope you liked the answer!


Is mercury found in old thermometers an element?

Yes, mercury is an element that is commonly found in old thermometers. It is a liquid metal at room temperature and is known for its characteristic silvery appearance and high toxicity. Mercury has a variety of industrial and commercial applications, including its use in thermometers.


Where is mercury found around the home?

Old fashioned thermometers and in tuna.


What is the name of the liquid in which thermometer is dipped?

The liquid in which a thermometer is typically dipped is called mercury. Mercury is commonly used in old-style thermometers, but newer thermometers may use alcohol or other liquids instead.


What liquid metal that used to be used in thermometers?

Mercury. Note: mercury is very toxic. If you find mercury (for example, if you break an old mercury thermometer), check with your local poison control center for instructions to dispose of it safely.


What element is a liquid metal used in a thermometer?

Mercury is a liquid metal that is used in thermometers.


What element liquid metal that used to be used in thermometers?

Mercury


What is best known to be used in thermometers?

It depends on the thermometer. An old-style liquid thermometer might contain: * mercury (silvery) * alcohol (usually dyed red or blue for visibility) * an alloy of sodium and potassium (silvery) * an alloy of gallium, indium, and tin (silvery) * any of a number of other things depending on the temperature range to be measured Electronic thermometers contain a thermocouple plus electronics to turn the potential generated by the thermocouple into a temperature reading.


What element is a liquid in thermometers?

In the past, Mercury was used in ALL thermometers, oral or rectal for human use. But Mercury poses health risks. So they changed the internal workings to electronic components.As an historical point of view, when I grew up, all thermometers contained mercury enclosed in thin glass. If the thermometer was dropped, it could easily break. Mercury when spilled is attracted to it's own droplets. So although the mercury spilled out, it formed little round silver balls that could easily be pushed together, separated again, and pushed back together---all with one finger! Children delighted in "playing" with it, until the droplets rolled around in enough dust that they did not attract to each other as well. Then, we pushed the remaining balls onto a piece of paper and threw it into the regular garbage, which was then burned outdoors or in the coal furnace. After 1980s, they began making thermometers without mercury from fears about mercury toxicity and mercury poisoning. (But plenty of people now over 50 years old never experienced bad effects from playing with mercury droplets.)


How long should you keep the thermometer under your tongue?

You must hold your mouth closed and keep the thermometer in place for a certain period of time. If you have a digital thermometer, it will tell you when it's "done". If you are using an old "mercury thermometer", the thermometer must stay under the tongue for at least a minute to 2 minutes.NOTE: Mercury thermometers are being phased out. The mercury inside is highly toxic and you should dispose of all mercury thermometers by taking them to a recycling center that handles that. DO NOT THROW IT IN THE TRASH. Mercury is poisonous to every living thing.UPDATE: GERATHERM offers MERCURY FREE thermometers that work the same as the mercury ones. They are supposed to be safe.


What fluids can be used to measure temperature?

Common fluids used to measure temperature include mercury, alcohol, and thermochromic liquids. Mercury is toxic and less commonly used now, while alcohol-based fluids are safer alternatives. Thermochromic liquids change color with temperature variations, making them visually helpful for temperature readings.


How do you dispose of an old thermometer?

Old thermometers should be disposed of at a hazardous waste facility. Do not throw them in the regular trash as they may contain mercury, which is harmful to the environment. Contact your local waste management facility for guidance on proper disposal methods.