Name: Rosie Leonard Section: 8-2 # 15

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-Mercur
y.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.

Recording a temperature directly after the thermometer is exposed to a new liquid is not
an example of precision when collecting data. This is because when recording a
temperature right after putting the thermometer into a new liquid, you would generally
need to let the thermometer adapt to the new temperature initially. When recording the
temperature right when exposing the thermometer to a new liquid, the result would be
greatly close to the temperature that was in the liquid previously.

2. Submerging the thermometer in the liquid up to the line indicated on the thermometer.
Precision is showcased when submerging a thermometer in a liquid up to the line
indicated on the thermometer. This action demonstrates refinement in a measurement,
resulting in each measurement to be the closest to the correct degree.

3. Letting the bulb touch the bottom of the glass container when measuring the temperature of
the liquid in the glass container.
Letting the bulb touch the bottom of the glass container when measuring the temperature
of the liquid does not represent precision. This action allows for the bulb to measure the
temperature of the glass including the temperature of the liquid. The result will most
likely be off considering that the act of precision wasnt used. Also regarding that there is
a distinct line that indicates where the liquid should be submerged to, shows how the
person wasnt paying attention to details.

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 property that the Celsius thermometer measures is temperature and the unit that can
be identifies this property is degrees Celsius.

2. Fill-in: Each calibrated line on the Celsius thermometer is worth 1 C.

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 the Celsius thermometer is 4. For example, the temperature of a liquid
could be 102C, so this would be 3 significant figures since zeros that are inbetween two
non-zero numbers count. However, you can always estimate one more digit if the clear
fluid in the thermometer is inbetween two calibrates lines. So, the estimated digit could
potentially be 102.5, and this adds another significant digit since all non-zero numbers
count.

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 of less than 0C and more than 100C on the Celsius
thermometer. The minimum value that you can measure is -20C and the maximum you
can record is 120C.

5. Why do you think the alcohol [a clear fluid] is colored in the Celsius thermometer?
The alcohol is colored in the Celcius thermometer so that you can read the measurement
clearly when it increases or decreases.

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 thermometer is put in a warmer temperature, the clear fluid in the Celsius
thermometer rises, by expanding 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 thermometer is put in a cooler temperature, the clear fluid in the Celsius
thermometer falls, by contracting in the tube.
8. Measure and record the current room temperature in C.
The current room temperature is 21C.

9. Measure and record your and each other member of your groups hand temperature in C.
My hand temperature is 24C and another person in my groups hand temperature is
30C.

10. Was there a difference between the temperatures recorded measurements in #9? If yes,
explain why.
Yes, there is a difference between the temperatures recorded measurements in #9. This
is because some people have different hand temperatures, for instance, my hand was
6C colder than another person in my groups.