Two mercury thermometers A and B are constructed with identical bulbs. The capillary bore of A has an area of cross-section twice that of B.
Which thermometer will be more sensitive to a small change in temperature? Give a reason to justify your answer.
A third thermometer is identical to A except that the glass walls of the bulb are thinner. Explain in what aspect it would behave differently from A.
2006-07-26 23:00:31 · 4 answers · asked by john_pigs 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
B. will respond to temperature changes more quickly as it contains less mercury therefore has a less to volume to adjust to the new temperature.
A. will will be more accurate once the entire volume of mercury has heated/cooled to the new temperature.
C. will respond to temperature changes quicker than A. as the thinner walls will be less insulating of the temperature changes.
2006-07-26 23:10:00 · answer #1 · answered by only1doug 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No doubt Thermometer B is more sensitive than A. But I have a different argument on the reason. It is not because B responds to temperature more quickly. Rather, it is because given the same temperature change, the change in the length of the alcohol/mercury column in B is greater than that in A. Therefore a small change in temperature can be more easily observed using B i.e. B is more sensitive.
2006-07-27 08:04:37 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No doubt Thermometer B is more sensitive than A. But I have a different argument on the reason. It is not because B responds to temperature more quickly. Rather, it is because given the same temperature change, the change in the length of the alcohol/mercury column in B is greater than that in A. Therefore a small change in temperature can be more easily observed using B i.e. B is more sensitive.
2006-07-27 07:42:13 · answer #3 · answered by wysely 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Sorry. I can't do your homework for you.
2006-07-27 06:06:42 · answer #4 · answered by scott i 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋