Question

This question is from a lab assignment where we made thermometers out of a straw with a little water and a paper clip on the end.

a) What would be the disadvantage of using a water thermometer to measure temperatures in Alaska during the winter?

b) What properties would you desire of the fluid used in a real thermometer?

(Please type the answers so I can read them.)

Answer 1

a) following are the disadvantages

i) water has melting point of 0C so it will be solid in Alaska in winters

ii) Water has high specific heat capacity so it will be very difficult to measure small change in temperature and we need a larger tube

(iii) It will wet the surface

(b) Properties of real thermometer

i)It should have small heat capacity

ii) It should not be sticky

iii) The melting and boiling point of fluid should not be in the range of measured temperature