Differbetween
Alcohol thermometer and mercury thermometer are two types of thermometers which are composed of a bulb and a marked glass tube. The main difference between alcohol and mercury thermometer is that the bulb of mercury thermometer is filled with mercury whereas the bulb of alcohol thermometer is filled with an alcohol.
- Can we use alcohol instead of mercury in thermometer?
- Why do current thermometers use alcohol instead of mercury?
- Are mercury thermometers more accurate?
- How does a mercury or an alcohol thermometer work?
- What happens if you touch mercury?
- What are the disadvantages of mercury?
- Can you still buy mercury thermometers?
- Are mercury thermometers more accurate than alcohol?
- Which expands more alcohol or mercury?
- What is the most accurate thermometer for home use?
- Which is better mercury thermometer or digital?
- How long should you use a mercury thermometer?
Can we use alcohol instead of mercury in thermometer?
Alcohol thermometers are used rather than mercury thermometers in very cold regions because alcohol has a lower freezing point than mercury. Pure ethanol freezes at -115 degrees C, while mercury freezes at -38 degrees C. Thermometers rely upon thermal expansion of the liquid in a bulb at the base of a thin glass tube.
Why do current thermometers use alcohol instead of mercury?
Unlike the mercury-in-glass thermometer, the contents of an alcohol thermometer are less toxic and will evaporate quickly. The ethanol version is the most widely used due to the low cost and relatively low hazard posed by the liquid in case of breakage.
Are mercury thermometers more accurate?
But mercury thermometers also have real advantages over the alternatives. They're often cheaper and more accurate, especially at higher temperatures. And unlike one common alternative, electronic thermometers, they're self-contained (no wires sticking out) and require no power.
How does a mercury or an alcohol thermometer work?
A thermometer has a glass tube sealed at both ends and is partly filled with a liquid like mercury or alcohol. As the temperature around the thermometer's bulb heats up, the liquid rises in the glass tube. ... The alcohol is often colored red or green so that the liquid can be seen more easily.
What happens if you touch mercury?
Direct contact with elemental (liquid) mercury can cause irritation and chemical burns. Possible immediate effects may include dizziness, vertigo, flu-like symptoms, burning or irritation, pale or clammy skin, irritability, and emotional instability.
What are the disadvantages of mercury?
The Weaknesses or the disadvantages of Mercury:
- It cannot measure very low temperature, because its freezing point is high (-40ºC)
- Mercury is poisonous, so it harmful if its tube is broken.
- Its price is very high.
- display is harder to read.
- cannot be used for thermograph.
- slow response.
- fragile.
Can you still buy mercury thermometers?
Although mercury thermometers have been mostly phased out of daily home use, the tool, which was invented in the 1700s by Gabriel Daniel Fahrenheit, remains a standard measuring device for many industries, including regulating the temperature of a chemical concoction being made in an industrial lab, and monitoring the ...
Are mercury thermometers more accurate than alcohol?
It is more durable than alcohol thermometer because mercury does not evaporate easily. It is smaller in size as compared to alcohol one. Mercury does not wet the wall of the thermometer, which means that results can be highly accurate.
Which expands more alcohol or mercury?
Alcohol expands more than mercury because of its low density and volatile nature. Mercury thermometers have the advantage of being small and compact due to its low expansion. ... Alcohol thermometers can only be used to measure temperatures up to 780C while mercury thermometer can be used to measure up to 3570C.
What is the most accurate thermometer for home use?
Our Top Picks
- Best Overall Thermometer: Kinsa Digital Ear Thermometer at Bed Bath & Beyond. ...
- Best Budget: iProven Oral and Rectal Thermometer at Walmart. ...
- Best Forehead Thermometer: Elepho eTherm Infrared Ear & Forehead Thermometer at Amazon. ...
- Best Thermometer for Kids: Exergen Temporal Thermometer at Amazon.
Which is better mercury thermometer or digital?
Digital thermometers provide fast results as opposed to mercury thermometers whose readings are slower to realize because you have to wait for the mercury to heat and then slowly rise to display the temperature. ... Mercury thermometers are also designed to withstand boiling temperatures.
How long should you use a mercury thermometer?
After shaking the mercury down, place the thermometer under the child's tongue, with the bulb toward the back of the mouth. Tell your child to keep the lips firmly closed, but not to bite the thermometer. 3. Leave the thermometer in place for 3 minutes.
