2006-10-26 05:46:38 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Other - Education
Mercury has a high rate of thermal expansion, meaning that when it is heated up, its volume increases.
This increase is visible on the linear scale on the thermometer.
Most thermometers nowadays use types of alcohol, since mercury is poisoness to humans.
2006-10-26 05:54:13 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
body temp has to be calculated accurate and the temp should be stable at the end of reading. being a metal, the mercury retains the temp at which it reached its maximum. Also it has memory quantity ie. retreats to its original temp and shape when cooled. but in the case of Atmosphere thermometers, the mercury is mixed with alcohol which gives red colour to the liquid. the temp is highly variable in atmosphere so for these fluctuations, mercury is contaminated with spirits. Even digital thermometers have mercury in their bulbed tip.
2006-10-26 06:25:32 · answer #2 · answered by rdhinakar4477 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/refpages/search.aspx?q=advantages+of+mercury+thermometer&Submit2=Go
1. it shines and is easy to see
2. fairly uniform expansion over a wide range of temps
3. does not stick to the wall of the thermometer
4. mercury has a high boiling point, so it can withstand temperatures that water and alcohol can't
2006-10-26 05:55:56 · answer #3 · answered by sushobhan 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because of the weight of mercury, it can measure small temperature variations in a small amount of space.
2006-10-26 05:54:11 · answer #4 · answered by kramerdnewf 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because mercury expands at a stable rate when exposed to heat
2006-10-26 05:54:33 · answer #5 · answered by kapute2 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋