Thermometer
A thermometer is a tool used to measure temperature. It is a very important tool in science because it helps us understand how hot or cold something is. There are different types of thermometers, but they all work on the same basic principle of using a material that expands or contracts with temperature changes.
Parts of a Thermometer
A typical thermometer has three main parts:
- Temperature Scale: This is the part of the thermometer that shows the temperature. It could be in Celsius or Fahrenheit.
- Stem: The long, narrow part of the thermometer where the temperature scale is located.
- Bulb: The bottom part of the thermometer that contains a special liquid (like mercury) that expands and contracts as the temperature changes.
How Thermometers Work
When the temperature increases, the liquid in the bulb expands and rises up the stem. When the temperature decreases, the liquid contracts and goes down the stem. This movement of the liquid helps us to know the temperature.
Types of Thermometers
There are different types of thermometers for different purposes. Some common types include:
- Mechanical Thermometers: These use a liquid (often colored alcohol) that expands and contracts with temperature changes.
- Digital Thermometers: These provide a digital readout of the temperature and often use electronic sensors to measure the temperature.
- Infrared Thermometers: These measure temperature from a distance and are often used to measure the temperature of objects that are difficult to reach or unsafe to touch.
Uses of Thermometers
Thermometers are used in many different fields, including:
- Science: To conduct experiments and measure temperature changes.
- Medicine: To measure body temperature and diagnose illnesses.
- Weather Forecasting: To measure the temperature of the air and predict weather patterns.
Study Guide Questions
- What are the three main parts of a thermometer?
- How does a thermometer work?
- What are the different types of thermometers?
- Give an example of a field where thermometers are used.
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Worksheet/Answer keyWorksheet/Answer keyWorksheet/Answer keyVocabulary/Answer keyThe resources above cover the following skills:
LIFE SCIENCE
Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
Obtain information from literature and other media to illustrate that there are many different kinds of living things and that they exist in different places on land and in water (e.g., woodland, tundra, desert, rainforest, ocean, river).
EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE
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Make observations from media to obtain information about Earth’s events that happen over a short period of time (e.g., tornados, volcanic explosions, earthquakes) or over a time period longer than one can observe (e.g., erosion of rocks, melting of glaciers).
Collect and evaluate data to identify water found on Earth and determine whether it is a solid or a liquid (e.g., glaciers as solid forms of water; oceans, lakes, rivers, streams as liquid forms of water).