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Home > Articles > Uses of Thermometer: Definition, History, Crucial Parts, Measures, Purpose, Applications, and Types
Updated on 03rd August, 2023 , 6 min read
A ubiquitous tool for measuring temperature is the thermometer. It is common knowledge that heat is measured in terms of temperature. Using units like Celsius (C), Kelvin (K), and Fahrenheit (F), the temperature may be measured. Thermometers are categorized into many varieties according to how they are used, ranging from digital laboratory thermometers to clinical thermometers. Thermometers are widely used in laboratories for scientific study, by doctors to check patients' body temperatures, for cooking, and even in the car industry.
Devices that measure temperature or a temperature gradient are known as thermometers (the degree of hotness or coldness of an object). Two crucial components make up a thermometer, which are as follows-
There are two crucial parts of a thermometer-
It consists of numbers with degrees Celsius, Fahrenheit, or Kelvin as the unit of measurement. For instance,an electrical we may see the digital display on an infrared model or the scale that is indicated on a mercury-in-glass thermometer.
It keeps track of temperature fluctuations. For instance, the mercury-in-glass thermometer's bulb or the infrared thermometer's pyrometric sensor
It is challenging to pinpoint exactly when the thermometer was created because some of its basic concepts were known to Greek philosophers as early as 2000 years ago. The thermometer was created in the early 18th century, although Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit, a German-Polish scientist, and physicist, is generally recognized as its creator. His first creation was a thermometer made of glass and mercury. Together with this discovery, Fahrenheit created the Fahrenheit scale, the first widely used standard temperature scale. It is a non-registering thermometer as a result. After the first use, digital thermometers and other types of registering thermometers record and store the temperature measurement.
Although the thermometer's displays show a range of temperatures, thermometers really measure temperature changes. The thermometer displays a temperature measurement as a result of how a sensitive component, such as mercury or a heat-sensitive coil, reacts to temperature changes.
There are several purpose for thermometers, which are as follows-
The following are some of the applications for thermometers-
As infrared thermometers are made to measure temperatures at a distance, they can be useful when you are working on your car and are having trouble getting to the wiring, hoses, and other equipment. It can be useful if used as a diagnostic tool for repairing flaws since it monitors the temperatures of many car parts, including the tires, the undercarriage, the engine, the gearbox, the brakes, and the clutch, among others.
When taking a bath, thermometers are used to measure the temperature of the water. Moreover, it is used to test the readiness of food for cooking. A thermometer may also be used to check the temperature of grill stands, ovens, and other heating sources to prevent burns and mishaps.
Checking for air leaks and inadequately insulated spaces is crucial for several businesses to meet safety requirements. For instance, the temperature of the inner and outer surfaces of the walls may be compared to determine whether insulation is required; if there is a significant difference, insulation is required for the walls.
In laboratories, thermometers are often employed for scientific study. It is employed to indicate the solution's temperature andto conduct experiments; it is also used to monitor ambient or room temperature.
In order to attain excellence and client happiness, large restaurants employ thermometers to monitor the temperature of the oil and dishes. You may determine the outcome of the entire batch by simply testing the sample with an infrared thermometer. It must be cooked to 165 degrees for 15 seconds before eating, whether it is a fresh batch or leftovers. Thermometers guarantee that semi-solid plates have attained the ideal temperature needed to eradicate any microorganisms.
The main use of a thermometer is to measure the temperature of a body, an item, the environment, or the atmosphere. The following are the most common thermometer types-
Type of Thermometer | Uses |
Alcohol in Glass thermometers |
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Clinical and Medical Thermometer |
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Digital thermometers |
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Infrared Ear thermometers |
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Laboratory thermometers |
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Mercury thermometers |
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Plastic Strip Thermometer | To measure a child's body temperature, plastic strip thermometers is used. |
Platinum Resistance Thermometers |
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Thermocouple Thermometers |
|
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By - Nikita Parmar 2024-09-06 10:59:22 , 6 min readAns. A laboratory thermometer may measure the temperature of other items because a clinical thermometer cannot provide readings over 42 °C.
Ans. The mercury in a clinical thermometer with a kink is used to stop it from flowing back to the bulb before the temperature is taken.
Ans. The liquid form of mercury is present at room temperature, and it normally has the largest expansion coefficient. Consequently, even a small variation in temperature is considered important. The boiling point of mercury also qualifies it for use in higher temperature measurements. The fact that mercury has a bright appearance and does not adhere to the surface of the glass is another reason why it is employed in thermometers.
Ans. The clinical thermometer is unable to measure temperatures beyond 42 °C. It may crack if left in the sun or next to a flame.
Ans. Mercury is an extremely dangerous element, which is one of the major reasons why digital thermometers are replacing clinical thermometers. As a result, digital thermometers have taken the place of these analog ones.