Celsius Thermometer
Celsius Thermometer
Celsius Thermometer
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.
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.
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.
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.
This is not precision because the temperature of the previous liquid may still be showing
on the thermometer and will disturb your next measurement.
2. Submerging the thermometer in the liquid up to the line indicated on the thermometer.
This is precision because you are trying to get close to an exact measurement.
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 precision because the heat coming off the light will affect the temperature of
the liquid and give you an inaccurate measurement.
1. What property does the Celsius thermometer measure and what unit can be identified with
it?
Yes because 0C is the point where water freezes and 100.0C is the point where water
boils. Also it does calibrate below 0C and above 100.0C.
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?
It will expand and rise up because the top of the thermometer is boiling point of water so
if it is warmer it will go closer to the top.
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?
It will contract and fall down because the bottom of the thermometer is the freezing point
of water so if it is cooler it will go closer to the bottom.
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.
It is different because each person's body temperature is always different, such as if you
just had gym your body temp must be warmer than somebody that sat in a/c.