Physics: Uses Of Thermometers

Introduction to Thermometers.

• In Latin, thermo means “heat”, and metrum means “measure”.
• A thermometer is a device used to gauge the temperature of solids, liquids, or gases. A temperature gradient, or the degree of coldness or heat in an item, may also be measured using thermometers.
• Two main elements comprise thermometers:

1. A temperature sensor that tracks shifts in temperature.
2. A tool that converts this temperature change into user-friendly numbers.

• A laboratory thermometer serves various purposes as opposed to a medical or clinical thermometer, which is only used to monitor body temperature. In scientific investigations, freezing and boiling points are measured using a laboratory thermometer. It is also employed to gauge a substance’s temperature. It monitors temperatures in the range of -10 to 110 degrees Celsius.
• Italian mathematician and scientist Galileo Galilei is credited with inventing the thermometer. His device, created around 1593, used the expansion and contraction of air inside an inverted glass vessel to adjust the level of liquid that was partially filled up the vessel’s long, open-mouthed neck.
• The modern mercury thermometer was invented by Gabriel Fahrenheit in 1714.

Uses of Thermometers

Clinical and Medical Uses

• Body temperature is measured using a medical thermometer.
• Most thermometers made in the 20th century were mercury models.
• These are sometimes referred to as doctor’s thermometers as doctors use them in clinics.
• They are used to assess body temperature in the range of 35°C to 42°C.
• Medical thermometers are cleaned with alcohol before and after each use.

Homes

• A thermometer is useful for determining an object’s temperature to avoid burn injuries and ensure the family’s safety, particularly young children.
• On a bright day, parents can check the temperature of slopes, swings, and other playground equipment using a thermometer before allowing children to use it.
• Grill stands, ovens, and other heating devices are tested for temperature using thermometers before re-use.
• In this situation, an infrared thermometer provides a quick and precise reading.

Restaurants

• Restaurants use thermometers to monitor the temperature of oil and dishes.
• The outcome of the entire batch can be determined by testing the sample with an infrared thermometer.
• Thermometers ensure that food in commercial kitchens is properly cooked and maintained at a certain temperature for the required time to remove harmful microorganisms.
• The temperature in semi-solid dishes can be confirmed using thermometers.

Automobiles

• As infrared thermometers are made to measure temperatures at a distance, they can be useful when working on your car and experiencing difficulty reaching the wiring, hoses, and other equipment.
• Thermometers can be handy as temperature-based diagnostic tools for repairing problems in various automotive components.

Industries

• Thermometers are critical in many sectors to check for air leaks and insufficiently insulated spaces to conform to safety regulations.
• The differential in temperature between the inner and exterior surfaces of the walls can be used to gauge the need for insulation.
• Laboratory thermometers are used in experiments to determine the room temperature of heated solids and liquids.

Laboratories

• In laboratories, thermometers are often employed for scientific study.
• They measure the solution’s temperature and monitor ambient or room temperature when performing experiments.
• In several experiments, thermometers are used to establish the ambient temperature of heated solids and liquids.
• Thermometers are also used to conduct experiments by measuring atmospheric or room temperature.
• Laboratory thermometers precisely measure temperature for various purposes like experiment monitoring, instrument calibration, etc.

Things to Keep in Mind

• A thermometer is a tool to measure temperature.
• It comprises a glass tube with a narrow liquid column that rises and falls in response to temperature variations.
• In laboratories, thermometers are routinely used to track scientific procedures.
• With the aid of a medical or clinical thermometer, body temperature is measured.
• A laboratory thermometer is utilised to measure the temperature of the room of heated solids and liquids.
• Readings may be taken with infrared thermometers at a distance.
• For baking and cooking, restaurants use thermometers to keep an eye on the temperature of the food.

Recommended Articles:

Uses of Transistor
Uses of Zener Diode
Ultraviolet Lights
Value of g on the Moon
Value Of Plancks Constant