Albert Tang 8-4 #22

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 the thermometer needs time exposed to the
substance before it properly adjusts to its temperature

2. Submerging the thermometer in the liquid up to the line indicated on the thermometer.
This is an example of precision because the thermometer is calibrated to expand from
that line

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 the temperature can vary at the sides and
bottom of a glass container, giving you an inaccurate reading
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?
Celsius thermometers measure temperature in degrees Celsius

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

1 degree Celsius

3. What is the maximum number of significant digits you could record when measuring
temperature with the Celsius thermometer? Explain why.
Up to 4 significant digits can be recorded because the thermometer itself can measure
up to the hundreds place, and the tenths place can be estimated.

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.
Yes it is possible to record measurements less than 0 degrees celsius and more than
100 degrees Celsius. The minimum value is -20 degrees Celsius and the maximum value
is 110 degrees Celsius.

5. Why do you think the alcohol [a clear fluid] is colored in the Celsius thermometer?
Alcohol is normally clear, which would be hard to read on the white background of the
thermometer. Coloring it makes it easier to read.

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?
When it is exposed to warmer temperatures, the clear fluid expands 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?
When it is exposed to cooler temperatures, the clear fluid contracts

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

25 degrees Celsius

9. Measure and record your and each other member of your groups hand temperature in C.
Finn: 35 degrees Celsius
Albert: 31 degrees Celsius
Seyon: 29 degrees Celsius

10. Was there a difference between the temperatures recorded measurements in #9? If yes,
explain why.
There was a difference in our hand temperatures because each of our bodies have
different temperatures. Each of us are wearing different amounts of clothing, possibly
affecting our body temperature.