In a mercury thermometer, a glass tube is filled with mercury and a standard temperature scale is marked on the tube. With changes in temperature, the mercury expands and contracts, and the temperature can be read from the scale. Mercury thermometers can be used to determine body, liquid, and vapor temperature.
Also to know is, is it safe to use a mercury thermometer?
The small silvery ball in a mercury thermometer can be dangerous if the glass breaks and the mercury is not cleaned up properly. The mercury will evaporate and can contaminate the surrounding air and become toxic to humans and wildlife. Each thermometer contains about .
One may also ask, are glass mercury thermometers accurate? The accuracy of the measurement is also very high. But the downside is that it takes a little longer to measure body temperature than the first two devices. It takes from 30 seconds to over 3 minutes to get the measurement for different brands.
Similarly, you may ask, what is a glass thermometer used for?
The fluid/glass thermometer is the most popular thermometer used around the world to measure body temperature. It consists of a sealed glass tube with a small internal diameter (like a lumen) connected to a reservoir. Increasing the temperature expands and pushes up the fluid in the reservoir and tube.
Why are mercury thermometers no longer used?
The reason: Mercury released into the environment from a broken thermometer is highly poisonous. Pure mercury and its compounds can cause neurological problems and other ailments in people exposed to them. Federal and state authorities have lobbied since 2002 for bans on medical mercury thermometers.
Related Question Answers
What happens if you break a mercury thermometer?
Mercury vapor is not irritating and has no odor, so people do not know when they are breathing it. Even the small amount of mercury from a broken thermometer can cause harm, especially to children, unless it is properly cleaned up and removed.Is breaking a mercury thermometer dangerous?
A broken mercury-containing thermometer can be toxic if the vapors are inhaled. The risk of poisoning from touching or swallowing mercury from a broken thermometer is low if appropriate clean-up measures are taken.What happens if you drink Mercury?
"Drinking mercury has a laxative effect," explains the toxicologist Gebel. "Its density cleans the intestine wonderfully." The effect is completely different when mercury is inhaled. As a vapor, the mercury is inhaled as individual atoms and quickly absorbed by the lungs where its poisonous effects begin to develop.Can I buy a mercury thermometer?
While mercury thermometers can measure temperature within one degree Celsius, digital thermometers can be as accurate as 0.001 degrees C a difference of four orders of magnitude in accuracy. This changeover won't be a big deal for the average person "In fact, you can't buy [mercury thermometers] anymore," Strouse said.What are the advantages and disadvantages of mercury thermometer?
A thermometer comparison| advantages | disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Mercury thermometer | |
| cheap | display is harder to read |
| durable | does not work below -39 C (Hg freezing pount) |
| accurate | cannot be used for thermograph |
What type of thermometer uses mercury and is unsafe?
This type of thermometer uses mercury and therefore, is considered unsafe to use a ear thermometer.How long does a mercury thermometer last?
A standard mercury thermometer can provide enough raw mercury (500 mg) for about 100 bulbs, says Greg Strouse, the head of NIST's Temperature and Humidity team.) NIST has been pushing to phase out mercury since 2004, says Strouse.Which kind of thermometer is the most accurate?
Rectal thermometers, which go into your rear end, are the most accurate, but they can be uncomfortable. Armpit, ear, and forehead thermometers aren't as accurate. Most doctors think an oral thermometer, which you hold under your tongue, is best.How do I know if my glass thermometer is working?
After shaking down the thermometer, read the temperature shown in order to evaluate the effectiveness of your efforts. (1) If the thermometer reading is below 94ºF (34.4º C), you have shaken down the thermometer sufficiently.How does a glass and mercury thermometer work?
In a mercury thermometer, a glass tube is filled with mercury and a standard temperature scale is marked on the tube. With changes in temperature, the mercury expands and contracts, and the temperature can be read from the scale. Mercury thermometers can be used to determine body, liquid, and vapor temperature.Why are glass thermometers rarely used today?
why are glass thermometers rarely used today? it contains mercury, which is a dangerous element. Threat of mercury spills and leak. Then the thermometer can be rotated until the mercury column can be seen inside the glass rod.Is 99.1 a fever?
Normal temperature in adultsA normal adult body temperature, when taken orally, can range from 97.6–99.6°F, though different sources may give slightly different figures. In adults, the following temperatures suggest that someone has a fever: at least 100.4°F (38°C) is a fever. above 103.1°F (39.5°C) is a high fever.
What liquid is in a glass thermometer?
mercuryHow accurate is a glass thermometer?
The accuracy of a typical glass thermometer is ±1 scale division. These are available in partial immersion or total immersion types and typically have to be considerably longer to achieve the same specifications as a mercury thermometer.How do you use a glass thermometer?
How do I use a glass thermometer?- Take the thermometer out of its holder.
- Hold the thermometer by the end opposite the colored (red, blue, or silver) tip.
- Clean the thermometer with soap and warm water or rubbing alcohol.
- Turn the thermometer in your hand until you see the red, blue, or silver line.
