Erica Schoen Section 1 #17

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.

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 when measuring temperature because it needs time
to adjust to the new temperature of the liquid.

2. Submerging the thermometer in the liquid up to the line indicated on the thermometer.
This is an example of precision when measuring temperature because it is indicated on
the thermometer that you should do so.
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 when measuring temperature because temperature
can vary at the sides and bottom of a 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?
The Celsius thermometer measures temperature, and it uses degrees Celsius.

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

Each calibrated line on the Celsius thermometer is worth one degree Celsius.

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 significant digits you could record when measuring
temperature with a celsius thermometer is 4. This is because you can measure into three
digit whole numbers, then measure an estimated decimal 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.
You can measure past 0 degrees celsius and 100 degrees celsius on the celsius
thermometer. The minimum amount of degrees you can measure is -20, and the
maximum amount of degrees you can measure is 150.

5. Why do you think the alcohol [a clear fluid] is colored in the Celsius thermometer?
I think that the alcohol in the Celsius thermometer is colored so that it is easier for the
user to tell where it stops. If it was clear, it would not be easy for someone to read it from
farther than foot away.

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 the Celsius thermometer is put into a liquid that is warmer in temperature, the fluid
expands, or rises up 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 the Celsius thermometer is put into a liquid that is cooler in temperature, the fluid
contracts, or falls down in the tube.
8. Measure and record the current room temperature in C.
The current room temperature is 20 degrees celsius.

9. Measure and record your and each other member of your groups hand temperature in C.
My hand temperature is 28 degrees celsius.
My group members hand temperature is 31 degrees celsius.

10. Was there a difference between the temperatures recorded measurements in #9? If yes,
explain why.
Yes, because I have a lower body temperature than them, or they have a higher body
temperature than me.