2006-09-20 04:44:04 · 21 answers · asked by fatpoop 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
Thermometers are used to measure temperature by way of a liquid inside them expanding or contracting as they are heated or cooled.
There are two main liquids used in thermometers:-
* Mercury - a silvery liquid which is actually a metal. It is the only metal that is liquid at normal room temperatures. It is particularly useful in thermometers because it expands at a very steady and predictable rate as it warms up and remains liquid over a very wide range of temperatures.
* Alcohol (or an alcohol-based liquid) - this is often coloured red (the alcohol is transparent so a dye is added so it's easier to see).
As Mercury is highly toxic, it is gradually being phased out in many types of thermometers and replaced by alcohol, especially in medical thermometers where the patient might end up swallowing some if the thermometer broke in their mouth.
2006-09-20 04:45:08 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Mercury
2006-09-20 04:51:48 · answer #2 · answered by rainheaven 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mercury. It's very dangerous when not handled with care and can cause major health problems if touched without the proper protection, so be careful not to shatter any of those thermometers!
2006-09-20 04:48:39 · answer #3 · answered by superrix83 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mercury.
2006-09-20 04:46:38 · answer #4 · answered by WC 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mercury!
2006-09-20 04:45:46 · answer #5 · answered by fun4u2 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermometer#Types_of_thermometers
The most used one is mercury, chemical element or quicksilver [from the Roman god Mercury], metallic chemical element; symbol Hg [Lat. hydrargyrum=liquid silver]; at. no. 80; at. wt. 200.59; m.p. −38.842°C; b.p. 356.58°C; sp. gr. 13.55 at 20°C; valence +1 or +2. Mercury was discovered in antiquity, and was known to the ancient Chinese, Hindus, and Egyptians, but was not recognized as an element. It was used as a medicine by Paracelsus. It was first recognized as a chemical element (in the modern sense) by A. L. Lavoisier about the end of the 18th cent.
2006-09-20 06:32:14 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The old ones use mercury but most of the new ones use alcohol because mercury is a carcinogen
2006-09-20 04:46:19 · answer #7 · answered by bmaldon04 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mercury. That is why they do not suggest them for childrens thermometers anymore... and have created the digital ones.
2006-09-20 04:46:41 · answer #8 · answered by lorihurley03 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The only metal found in a liquid state, mercury.
2006-09-20 04:45:41 · answer #9 · answered by smartypants909 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2016-12-15 11:12:00 · answer #10 · answered by waltraud 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋