Breadcrumb
4A10.10 - Thermometers - Gas and Liquid
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Code Number: 4A10.10
Demo Title: Thermometers - Gas and Liquid
Condition: Good
Principle: Pressure vs. Volume vs. Temperature in a Gas
Area of Study: Thermodynamics
Equipment:
Gas Thermometer demo and Thermometers (assorted).
Procedure:
Gas Thermometer - Colored water will have to be added to the demo as needed. Several drops of oil added to the top of the water on the open side of the U-tube will help to slow evaporation. Warming the flask with both hands is all that is needed, although a grill lighter or Bunsen burner may be used for short periods of time.
CAUTION: The mercury thermometers need to have special handling as they are now considered hazardous waste if broken.
The homemade alcohol thermometers were made by physics and chemistry students as a lab project circa 1900 to 1930 or earlier. They work well but because of their large liquid volume they take a long while to come to measured temperature.
The maximum-minimum thermometer has small plugs that ride on top of the mercury columns. The plugs will remain in place and show the maximum and minimum temperatures recorded for a desired time period.
Examples of other large precision mercury thermometers are available for viewing.
References:
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- Janice VanCleave, "175. Thermometer", Janice VanCleave's 203 Icy, Freezing, Frosty, Cool, and Wild Experiments.
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- John H. Moore, Christopher C. Davis, and Michael A. Coplan, "Expansion Thermometers", Building Scientific Apparatus 2nd Edition, p. 510 - 511.
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- Bobby Mercer, "Coin Dance", Junk Drawer Chemistry, 2016, p. 178 - 180.
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