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BeauAlcohol is preferred over Mercury in thermometers because it is less toxic if accidentally ingested, safer to handle, and has a lower environmental impact in case of breakage. Mercury is highly toxic and can lead to serious health and environmental issues if released into the environment.
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Two kinds of thermometer?
Two common types of thermometers are digital thermometers and mercury thermometers. Digital thermometers use electronic sensors to measure temperature and display it on a screen, while mercury thermometers contain mercury that expands or contracts with temperature changes. Mercury thermometers are being phased out due to environmental concerns over mercury exposure.
Why is digital thermometer is better than mercury thermometer?
Digital thermometers are preferred over mercury thermometers because they are more accurate, faster, and safer to use. Digital thermometers provide a digital reading, eliminating the risk of parallax error associated with reading a mercury level. Additionally, digital thermometers do not contain mercury, making them safer for the environment and in case of accidental breakage.
What is scientific reason for using mercury in thermometers?
Mercury is used in thermometers because it has a high thermal expansion coefficient, meaning it expands and contracts significantly with temperature changes. This property allows for accurate measurement of temperature. Additionally, mercury remains a liquid over a wide range of temperatures, making it ideal for use in thermometers.
Why is mercury rarely used in thermometers that take body temperatures?
Mercury is a toxic heavy metal. The possibility of breakage and the subsequent release of mercury into the body, or into the environment, means that mercury usage has gradually been phased out in consumer thermometers. Laboratory thermometers often still contain mercury, since it's useful over a wide range of temperatures. This isn't so critical in medical thermometers, since the body temperature of someone who isn't actually dead is almost certainly going to be no more than 10 degrees from 37 Celcius.
Why was mercury chosen to be in a thermometer?
Mercury was chosen for thermometers because it has a high coefficient of expansion, meaning it is very sensitive to temperature changes and quickly expands or contracts. This makes it able to accurately indicate slight variations in temperature. Additionally, mercury remains liquid over a wide range of temperatures, making it suitable for use in thermometers.
