Name: Jessica Section: 8-1 # 24

Celsius Thermometer

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

To Do #1: Read the following on the history of the thermometer.

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
To Do #2: Using the copy paper provided, reference pages 071 and 072, and the Celsius
thermometer, record the important facts about the Celsius thermometer in bulleted note
style and sketch a detailed image of a Celsius thermometer.

[record on separate sheet of paper]

To Do #3: Explain if the following are examples of precision when collecting data or not
and explain why. Explanations should be typed in bold.

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

This is not an example of precision because if you record a temperature directly after the
thermometer is exposed to a new liquid, the liquid inside the thermometer hasnt had
time to heat up or cool down. The liquid needs time to expand or contract, and only when
it has been exposed to a liquid for a period of time, will it be able to give a precise
measurement.
2. Submerging the thermometer in the liquid up to the line indicated on the thermometer.
This is an example of precision because if the thermometer is submerged to a different
place, the temperature may vary, making it not precise.
3. Letting the bulb touch the bottom of the glass container when measuring the temperature of
the liquid in the glass container.
This is not an example of precision because temperatures may vary from the bottom,
center, and top of the glass container. To get a precise measurement, the bulb of the
thermometer should be near the center of the glass container or liquid.

To Do #4: Complete the following questions in bold.

1. What property does the Celsius thermometer measure and what unit can be identified with
it?
The Celsius thermometer measures temperature and it can be identified with Celsius.
2. Fill-in: Each calibrated line on the Celsius thermometer is worth 1C.
3. What is the maximum number of significant digits you could record when measuring
temperature with the Celsius thermometer? Explain why.
The maximum number of significant digits is four significant digits because is you have a
temperature of three digits and above, and you estimate the tens place, that equals four
significant digits.

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.
You can record a measurement of less than 0C and more than 100.0C because there are
lines above and below those measurements. The minimum value is -20C, and the
maximum value is 110C.

5. Why do you think the alcohol [a clear fluid] is colored in the Celsius thermometer?
The alcohol is colored in the Celsius thermometer so it is easy to see and find the
temperature of liquids.

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?
The clear fluid in the Celsius thermometer expands when the thermometer is put in a
liquid warmer in temperature.

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?
The clear fluid in the Celsius thermometer contracts when the thermometer is put in a
liquid cooler in temperature.

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

The current room temperature is 21C.

9. Measure and record your and each other member of your groups hand temperature in C.
My hand: 26.5C
Elon: 29.5C
Ashley: 27.5C
10. Was there a difference between the temperatures recorded measurements in #9? If yes,
explain why.
There was a difference between the temperature because each persons hand is different,
and someone might be slightly colder or warmer than the other people.