Celcius Thermometer

Nikitha Section #1
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.
No, this is not an example of precision. The liquid in the thermometer would not have
enough time to expand, so the temperature that it shows will not be precise.
2. Submerging the thermometer in the liquid up to the line indicated on the thermometer.
Yes, this is an example of precision. The directions on the thermometer says that you
should submerge the liquid up to the line, so, by following the directions, you are
showing precision.
3. Letting the bulb touch the bottom of the glass container when measuring the temperature of
the liquid in the glass container.
No, this is not an example of precision. The temperature of the liquid can vary on the
bottom of the glass container, so the temperature that you obtain will not be precise.
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 can identified with Celsius or
Fahrenheit.
2. Fill-in: Each calibrated line on the Celsius thermometer is worth _1C_.
3. What is the maximum number of significant digits you could record when measuring
temperature with the Celsius thermometer? Explain why.
You can record 4 significant digits. The maximum temperature that the thermometer can
go to is 150C. To record a precise measurement, you have to record all the known digits
and one estimated digit. Adding all this up, you can record 3 known digits and one
estimated digit maximum. That makes 4 significant digits.
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 record a measurement less than 0C and more than 100.0C.
The minimum value is -20C and the maximum value is 150C.
5. Why do you think the alcohol [a clear fluid] is colored in the Celsius thermometer?
Alcohol is colored in the celsius thermometer so that is it easy to see. If the alcohol
remained a clear liquid, it would be hard to see and measure in the thermometer. By
making it red, the alcohol is bright so it is easier to measure the level of the liquid.
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 temperature of a liquid that the thermometer is put in is warmer, the clear fluid
expands and rises up 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 temperature of a liquid that the thermometer is put in is cooler, the clear fluid
contracts and and falls down the tube.
8. Measure and record the current room temperature in C.

The current room temperature is 21.5C.
9. Measure and record your and each other member of your groups hand temperature in C.
Me: 36.55C
Group Member: 36.55C
Group Member: 36.55C
Group Member 36.55C
10. Was there a difference between the temperatures recorded measurements in #9? If yes,
explain why.
No, there was no difference between the hand temperatures of myself and my group
members.

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Nikitha Section #1

To Do #1: Read the following on the history of the thermometer.

History of the Thermometer

Mercury A Health Hazard

[record on separate sheet of paper]

To Do #4: Complete the following questions in bold.

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

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