When it comes to monitoring our body temperatures or even the temperature of our surroundings, thermometers play a crucial role. But have you ever wondered how a thermometer works? In this article, we will be discussing everything you need to know about thermometers, their working principle, and how they measure temperature.
A thermometer is an instrument that measures temperature. It is composed of a glass or plastic tube containing mercury or alcohol, which expands as temperature increases and contracts as it decreases. These changes in volume are then used to determine temperature.
The most common type of thermometer is a mercury thermometer. It consists of a glass tube filled with mercury and a small bulb at the bottom. When the temperature increases, the mercury expands and rises up the tube. Similarly, when the temperature decreases, the mercury contracts and goes down the tube. The temperature can be read by observing the level of the mercury in the tube against the marked scale printed on the thermometer.
Another type of thermometer is a digital thermometer. Instead of using mercury or alcohol, it uses a thermistor, which is a resistor that changes its electrical resistance with changes in temperature. The thermistor is connected to a microcontroller, which processes the changes in resistance and converts them into a digital output that is displayed on a screen.
Infrared thermometers are also widely used to measure temperature. They work by detecting the infrared radiation emitted by an object and converting it into a temperature reading. These thermometers are often used to measure the temperature of objects that are too hot or too cold to be measured with a traditional thermometer.
Thermocouples are another type of thermometer that uses two different metals to create a voltage that changes with temperature. The voltage is then measured and converted into a temperature reading. Thermocouples are widely used in industrial applications where high temperatures need to be measured.
Now that we know the different types of thermometers, let’s dive deeper into how they work. As mentioned earlier, a thermometer measures temperature by detecting changes in volume caused by changes in temperature. This principle is based on the relationship between temperature and the kinetic energy of molecules.
When molecules are heated, they gain kinetic energy and move faster. This increased speed causes them to collide with other molecules more frequently, which increases their volume. Conversely, when molecules are cooled, they lose kinetic energy and move slower, causing them to take up less space.
In a mercury thermometer, the bulb at the bottom contains mercury that expands as it gains heat from its surroundings. This causes the mercury to rise up the tube, where it can be measured against a scale to determine temperature.
Similarly, in a digital thermometer, the thermistor changes its electrical resistance in response to changes in temperature. This change in resistance is then detected by a microcontroller, which converts it into a digital reading that can be displayed on a screen.
Infrared thermometers, on the other hand, detect the infrared radiation emitted by an object and convert it into a temperature reading. This is based on the fact that all objects emit infrared radiation in proportion to their temperature. By detecting this radiation and converting it into a temperature reading, infrared thermometers can measure the temperature of objects without coming into contact with them.
To conclude, thermometers are essential instruments used for measuring temperature in various applications. They work by detecting changes in volume caused by changes in temperature and convert these changes into a temperature reading. From mercury thermometers to digital thermometers and infrared thermometers, each type of thermometer has its unique working principle that makes it suitable for different applications.