Name: Michael V Section: 5 #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.
It is not precise because you have to do many other steps first, like stirring it.

2. Submerging the thermometer in the liquid up to the line indicated on the thermometer.
Yes, because you are using a calibrated line, which exacts precision, also when
measuring temperature for a liquid, this is what you are supposed to do.

3. Letting the bulb touch the bottom of the glass container when measuring the temperature of
the liquid in the glass container.
No, because you are not supposed to let the bulb touch the bottom, which would
make the measurement imprecise.

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. The units identified with it are
Fahrenheit and Celsius.
2. Fill-in: Each calibrated line on the Celsius thermometer is worth 1/10 of a degree.

3. What is the maximum number of significant digits you could record when measuring
temperature with the Celsius thermometer? Explain why.
There would be four significant digits because the lines are calibrated by tenths,
and you can estimate the last digit.

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, the maximum is 110 degrees celsius and the minimum is -20 degrees celsius.

5. Why do you think the alcohol [a clear fluid] is colored in the Celsius thermometer?
It is colored to make it easier to see and read the 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 will expand in the tube, because all liquids rise up when heated.

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 will contract, because all liquids fall down when cooled.

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

21.41 C.

9. Measure and record your and each other member of your groups hand temperature in C.
32.73 C. (Me)
31.84 C. (Group Member)

10. Was there a difference between the temperatures recorded measurements in #9? If yes,
explain why.
Yes, because my group member could be wearing a short sleeve shirt, which
coldens his hands, while I could be wearing a long sleeve sweatshirt covering my hands,
which warmens my hands.