Name: Ashley Section: 8-1 #23

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 could still have the
substance that you just used before on it, which would then contaminate the new liquid
affecting the temperature. Also, if you put the thermometer in another liquid right away it
wouldnt give as much time to expand or contract from the other liquid.
2. Submerging the thermometer in the liquid up to the line indicated on the thermometer.
This is an example of precision because by submerging the thermometer in the liquid up
to the line indicated by the thermometer, you can be able to read an accurate temperature
while still having enough of the thermometer submerged in the liquid.

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 if the bulb touches the bottom of the glass
container when measuring, the temperature will not be accurate. Temperature can vary at
the sides and the bottom of the container.

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 and it can be identified with the Celsius scale ()
2. Fill-in: Each calibrated line on the Celsius thermometer is worth ________.
Each calibrated line on the Celsius thermometer is worth 1.

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 sig figs you can record when measuring temperature with the
Celsius thermometer is four because you can have a number over one hundred
(Ex. 102) and then you can estimate one more digit (Ex. 102.5).

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 you can measure less than 0 and more than 100 because the minimum the
thermometer can measure is -20, which is less than 0, and because the maximum is
110, which is greater than 100.

5. Why do you think the alcohol [a clear fluid] is colored in the Celsius thermometer?
I think the alcohol is colored in the Celsius thermometer so it is easier to see the
temperature so you can get a more accurate temperature.
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 would contract because the red liquid expands
in warm temperatures which would take up more space causing the clear liquid to
contract.

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 would expand because when the temperature
is put into cooler liquids, the blue liquid would contract leaving more room for the clear
liquid to take up causing it to expand.

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

Room temperature: 21

9. Measure and record your and each other member of your groups hand temperature in C.
Me: 27.5
Jessica: 26.5
Elon: 29.5

10. Was there a difference between the temperatures recorded measurements in #9? If yes,
explain why.
Yes, there was a slight difference between the temperatures. The temperatures ranged
between 26.5-29.5. This could be because everyone has a different body temperature
and also if you have were just touching a warm or cold surface then your hand would
most likely be that temperature.