Name Cheryl Section 8-5 # 21

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-Mercur
y.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.

No: it takes time for the material inside the thermometer to expand/contract based on
surroundings.

2. Submerging the thermometer in the liquid up to the line indicated on the thermometer.
Yes: This ensures the material inside thermometer expands/contracts the correct
amount. Submerging too much/not enough causes the material to read the incorrect
temperature.

3. Letting the bulb touch the bottom of the glass container when measuring the temperature of
the liquid in the glass container.
No: Temperatures in container vary based on location, especially on sides and bottom.

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?
It measures temperature in 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.
You can record up to 50C, because the top line is shown to be at 50C, and it would be
very hard to estimate beyond.

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.
This thermometer can measure down to -20C and up to 50C, so it can measure below
0C but not above 100C.

5. Why do you think the alcohol [a clear fluid] is colored in the Celsius thermometer?
So that the liquid is visible and can convey important information.

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 liquid expands.

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 liquid contracts.

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

23C

9. Measure and record your and each other member of your groups hand temperature in C.
Daphne Ryan G. Brandon Cheryl

24C 31C 22C 32C

10. Was there a difference between the temperatures recorded measurements in #9? If yes,
explain why.
Yes, this is because everyones bodies work differently, and our bloodstreams and
immune systems would especially affect the temperatures.