2006-12-05 02:28:52 · 3 answers · asked by limck_dcp_cls 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
Usually it's a change in an electrical characteristic of some material with temperature. Most materials change resistance with changing temperature in a very predictable way thus giving the basis of a thermometer (by measuring the resistance)
Doug
2006-12-05 02:42:29 · answer #1 · answered by doug_donaghue 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are many types ranging from an RTD, where the resistance changes relative to temperature, to thermocouples that produce small voltages relative to temperature, to smart sensors that have the electronics and the sensor on the same silicon chip to produce the required signal from the temperature.
The RTD and Thermocouple requiring additional circuit to produce the required signal
The choice being determined by temperature range, accuracy and cost.
2006-12-05 12:33:13 · answer #2 · answered by Poor one 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Special resistors, called thermistors, are constructed to maximize the amount of their resistance changed by a difference in temperature.
when put into an appropriate circuit, this resistance change is translated into voltage, and this voltage into a number corresponding to the temperature. (Analog to digital converter or ADC)
2006-12-05 10:50:50 · answer #3 · answered by Rockies VM 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋