2006-09-07 02:36:10 · 14 answers · asked by ????? 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
Very simple, because it's not Mercury! Since Mercury is so toxic, they don't put it into most thermometers anymore. The fluid in thermometers now is alcohol with red dye in it for visibility, since alcohol is clear. Alcohol thermometers aren't quite as accurate as Mercury ones, but they're close enough.
2006-09-07 02:39:34 · answer #1 · answered by Duluth06ChE 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
That thermometer you have is an alcohol thermometer. It has to be dyed to allow it to be seen better.
Mercury thermometer is silver in colour for mercury is a metal. And, mercury thermometer is still being used widely, just not for clinical thermometer.
2006-09-08 13:08:15 · answer #2 · answered by carbon dioxide 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mercury is a silver color and is used in most instruments for blood pressure.. The 'red' in home thermometers is actually red alcohol.. Hard to find real mercury thermometers now, as it is environmentally toxic and 'unsafe' to handle, especially around children.
2006-09-07 09:44:02 · answer #3 · answered by RICHY RICH 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mercury is a silver colour. Thermometers containing red liquid are alcohol thermometers. Alcohol is naturally colourless,so the red dye makes it more visible.
2006-09-07 09:41:13 · answer #4 · answered by Ricvee 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
thermometers with red liquid in them are actually filled with alcohol which has been dyed red. Mercury thermometers are silver in color.
2006-09-07 11:43:52 · answer #5 · answered by xox_bass_player_xox 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've never seen it red. It's always been silver colour in all my thermometers.... Red is not its colour at all. Try to break one thermometer and you'll see the real mercury on your hand. Quite funny to play with as well...but be careful if you're wearing any gold! It'll ruin it.
2006-09-07 09:42:39 · answer #6 · answered by Blue Blue Blue 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because Mercury is toxic, it is no longer in thermometers.
Thermometers which are red or blue are actually alchol thermometers.
2006-09-07 09:45:50 · answer #7 · answered by Hannie S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
mercury is has a silver color and thats the color it has in the thermometer
your thermometer ins an alchohol-thermometer
Mercury is still beeing used in thermometers!
2006-09-07 09:42:18 · answer #8 · answered by girl24gr 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because it isn't mercury, it's alcohol. It's used instead of mercury because it freezes at a lower temperature and it's nowhere near as toxic.
Doug
2006-09-07 09:39:49 · answer #9 · answered by doug_donaghue 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
COuld it be that the mercury is dyed red?
2006-09-07 09:51:22 · answer #10 · answered by anthony g 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋