Sam Cohen Section 3

Temperature Lab

Objective: To identify the tool[s] associated with the calibrated system used to measure
temperature and to explain its purpose in measurement as it relates to data collection.

I. History of the Thermometer

The instrument used to measure temperature is a thermometer, a word derived from the Greek
thermos, meaning "hot," and metron, "measure."

Thermometers were simply used in meteorology, in horticulture, and sometimes for indoor use.

The lines on a thermometer indicate that the system is calibrated. It is generally calibrated
according to the best known fixed points on the temperature scale, the melting and boiling point
of pure water.
Anders Celsius should be recognized as the first to perform and publish careful experiments aiming at the
definition of an international temperature scale on scientific grounds. In his Swedish paper "Observations of two
persistent degrees on a thermometer" he reports on experiments to check that the freezing point is independent of
latitude (and also of atmospheric pressure!). He determined the dependence of the boiling of water with atmospheric
pressure (in excellent agreement with modern data). He further gave a rule for the determination of the boiling point
if the barometric pressure deviates from a certain standard pressure.

Mercury A Health Hazard

http://www.chabad.org/theJewishWoman/article_cdo/aid/498849/jewish/The-Dangers-of-Mercury.htm

II. Precision in Measurement

Select the best answer by deleting the other option.

If NO [N], explain why not.

1. Recording a temperature directly after the thermometer is exposed to a new liquid.

No because you have to let it settle first or it wont be precise.

2. Submerging the thermometer in the liquid up to the line indicated on the thermometer.
Yes because you probably find the right measurement if you do this.



3. Letting the bulb touch the bottom of the glass container when measuring the temperature of the liquid in the
glass container.
No because it will not be the right answere when measuring.



III. Looking More Closely


Note: Answers should be written in bold.


1. What property does the Celsius thermometer measure and what unit can be identified with it?
C


2. Fill-in: Each calibrated line on the Celsius thermometer is worth ________.


3. What is the maximum number of significant digits you could record when measuring temperature with the Celsius
thermometer? Explain why. 4


4. Can you record a measurement of less than 0C and more than 100.0C on the Celsius thermometer? Explain
the minimum and maximum values based on the Celsius thermometer you are given.



5. Why do you think the alcohol [a clear fluid] is colored in the Celsius thermometer?

6. What happens to the clear fluid in the Celsius thermometer when the temperature of a liquid the thermometer is
put in is warmer in temperature? Does the clear fluid expand [rise up] or contract [fall down]in the tube?

7. What happens to the clear fluid in the Celsius thermometer when the temperature of a liquid the thermometer is
put in is cooler in temperature? Does the clear fluid expand [rise up] or contract [fall down]in the tube?

8. Measure and record the current room temperature in C.

9. Measure and record your and each other member of your groups hand temperature in C.

10. Was there a difference between the temperatures recorded measurements in #9? If yes, explain why.