2006-09-06 04:55:03 · 9 answers · asked by edenissimo 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Weather
Because alcohol doesn't freeze at the relatively warm temp of a domestic freezer unit, while mercury does solidify if not actually freeze.
For alcohol to freeze you have to get REALLY cold, as in close to absolute zero.
2006-09-06 07:59:49 · answer #1 · answered by anna 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Mercury is poisonous so you shouldn't use it anywhere near food or you. If it broke you'd have a problem. Also, the freezing point of mercury may be high enough that it would turn solid in the thermometer. You can take the time to look up the freezing point.
Alcohol isn't much better. You should get a commercial freezer thermometer at Lowes or K-mart. There's not the danger of breaking them like there is with a glass thermometer.
2006-09-06 12:01:13 · answer #2 · answered by college kid 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
safety reasons mainly. also mercury will freeze solid at around -39 degrees centigrade which shouldnt be a problem for domestic freezer which generally operate around -20 degrees, but ethanol wont freeze until well below -100 degrees C.
2006-09-06 12:02:47 · answer #3 · answered by waif 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It's just a good idea to not have Mercury anywhere in your house if you can help it.
2006-09-09 18:18:33 · answer #4 · answered by moebiusfox 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi. If it breaks then the alcohol will just evaporate.
2006-09-06 11:57:12 · answer #5 · answered by Cirric 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because if it breaks mercury will poison everything.
http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/gen01/gen01507.htm
2006-09-06 11:57:22 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
mercury stops being liquid in low temps
2006-09-06 12:00:27 · answer #7 · answered by The Jade Merchant 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Alcohol won't freeze.
2006-09-06 13:47:33 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
No reason
2006-09-10 00:34:51 · answer #9 · answered by ppellet 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋