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Experiment 3: Temperature Measurement Method
Experiment 3: Temperature Measurement Method
1.0 OBJECTIVES
1.1 To learn fundamental temperature measuring techniques using
i. Mercury-glass thermometer
ii. Thermocouple (type K)
iii. Thermistor
iv. Resistance Temperature Detector (RTD)
v. Bi-metal thermometer
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Equipment Note
The temperature of a substance does not measure its heat content but rather the
average kinetic energy of its molecules resulting from their motions. A one-pound block of
iron and a two-pound block of iron at the same temperature do not have the same heat
content. Because they are at the same temperature the average kinetic energy of the
molecules is the same; however, the two-pound block has more molecules than the one-
pound block and thus has greater heat energy.
The scale we use to measure temperature is "degrees" (°). There are three
temperature scales that are used today.
i. The Kelvin (K) scale is used by scientists and for astronomical temperatures.
ii. The Celsius scale (°C) is used in most of the world to measure air temperatures.
iii. The Fahrenheit scale(°F) is used to measure temperatures at or near the surface.
All three temperature scales are related to each other through the "triple point of
water". The triple point of water is the temperature at which water vapor, liquid water, and
ice can coexist simultaneously. The triple point occurs at 0.01 °C (273.16 K or 32.02 °F).
To convert from one temperature scale to another, we need to use the equations as below:
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3.1 Mercury in Glass Thermometer
b) Total Immersion
Total immersion thermometer need to be immersed up to the liquid
temperature mark on the thermometer. Since the thermometer column is
fully immersed, this thermometer is the most accurate.
3.2 Thermocouples
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Figure 2 : Thermocouple with probe
3.3 Thermistor
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3.4 Resistance Temperature Detector (RTD)
A typical RTD (figure 4) consists of a fine platinum wire wrapped around a mandrel
and covered with a protective coating. Usually, the mandrel and coating is glass or
ceramic. Depositing can also make the platinum as a film on a substitute and then
encapsulating it. RTD is wire wound and thin film device that work on the physical
principle of the temperature coefficient or electrical resistance of metals.
RTD is nearly linear over a wide range of temperatures and can be made small
enough to have response times of a fraction of a second. The classical resistance
temperature detector (RTD) construction using platinum was proposed by
C.H.Meyers in 1932. This requires an electrical current to produce a voltage drop
across the sensor that can be then measured by a calibrated read-out device.
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Figure 5 : Bimetallic Thermometer
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4.0 EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE
No. Procedure
PART 1 : Ambient air temperature measurement
1. Take out the mercury-glass thermometer, close inspection will reveal a column of
mercury protrude from the bulb. Temperature measurement is achieved by
relating the length of this column to an engraved scale on the glass. Read the
temperature indicated by the column at ambient air temperature.
2. Take out the bi-metal thermometer, close inspection will reveal a metal rod at the
end of the indicator. Temperature measurement is achieved by transferring heat to
the metal rod.
3. Take out a Type K thermocouple. Connect the blue and yellow plugs to the
corresponding sockets of the Type K thermocouple temperature indicator. Place
the thermocouple on the baseboard and allow the readings to stabilize at the
ambient air temperature. Read the temperature indicated on the temperature
indicator.
4. Take out a resistance temperature detector (RTD). Connect the RTD plugs to the
corresponding sockets of the RTD indicator. Place the RTD on the baseboard
and allow the readings to stabilize at the ambient air temperature. Read the
temperature indicated on the RTD temperature indicator.
5. Take out a thermistor. Connect the thermistor plugs to the corresponding sockets
of the thermistor indicator. Place the thermistor on the baseboard and allow the
readings to stabilize at the ambient air temperature. Read the temperature
indicated on the thermistor indicator.
6. Take out the vapor pressure thermometer. Place the vapor pressure thermometer
on the baseboard and allow the readings to stabilize at the ambient air
temperature. Read the temperature indicated on the indicator
PART 2 : Ice-point temperature measurement
1. Half fill the vacuum flask with a mixture of crushed ice and pure water
2. Insert the bulb of the thermometer into the water-ice mixture; stir gently to ensure
intimate contact with the mixture. Observe the reading on the thermometer.
3. Insert the metal rod of the bi-metal thermometer into the water-ice mixture; stir
gently to ensure intimate contact with the mixture. Observe the reading on the
bimetallic temperature indicator.
4. Insert the thermocouple probe into the water-ice mixture; stir gently to ensure
intimate contact with the mixture. Observe the reading on the thermocouple
temperature indicator
5. Insert the RTD probe into the water-ice mixture; stir gently to ensure intimate
contact with the mixture. Observe the reading on the RTD temperature indicator.
6. Insert the thermistor probe into the water-ice mixture; stir gently to ensure intimate
contact with the mixture. Observe the reading on the thermistor temperature
indicator.
7. Insert the metal rod of the vapor pressure indicator into the water- ice mixture; stir
gently to ensure intimate contact with the mixture. Observe the reading on the
indicator.
PART 3 : Boiling-point temperature measurement
1. Half fill the water heater jug with clean water and connect the power cord.
2. Swicth ‘ON’ the water heater jug. wait until water is boil .
Be careful to the hot water.
3. Insert the bulb of the thermometer into boiling water. Observe the reading on the
thermometer.
4. Insert the metal rod of the bimetalic indicator into boiling water. Observe the
reading on the bimetallic indicator.
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5. Insert the thermocouple probe into boiling water. Observe the reading on the
temperature indicator.
6. Insert the RTD probe into boiling water. Observe the reading on the resistance
indicator.
7. Insert the thermistor probe into boiling water. Observe the reading on the
thermistor indicator.
8. Insert the metal rod of the vapor pressure indicator into boiling water. Observe the
reading on the thermometer.
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Matrix No : ______________________________
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7.0 DISCUSSION / EVALUATION & QUESTION
7.3. Explain any unusual difficulties or problems which may have led to poor results
(5%)
- Gives 3 problems in your experiment
7.4. Offer suggestions for how the experimental procedure or design could be
improved. (5%)
- Give 3 suggestion how to improves your results
7.6 Why there are differences in temperature readings among measurement devices?.
i) 89 ºC to Kelvin
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iii) Water standard ice temperature in ºC , ºK and ºF
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Matrix No :______________________________
8.0 CONCLUSION
- Make an intelligent conclusion of your experiment base on data and discussion
- Give examples in industrial application
- Is this result a kind of contribution to knowledge?
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