CHAPTER-7 TEMPERATURE
TEMPERATURE
1. Temperature is the measure of degree of hotness or coldness of an object.
2. Absolute zero is the lowest possible temperature equal to -273.15°C. An object at a
temperature of absolute zero would contain no heat at all as all vibrations of the molecules
stop.
3. The instrument used to measure temperature is called a thermometer.
SCALE FOR MEASURING TEMPERATURE
A scale for measurement of temperature is defined by using two fixed points, a lower fixed
point (freezing point of water) and an upper fixed point (boiling point of water). The range
between them is equally divided into a number of divisions, called degrees.
The most commonly used scales for measurement of temperature are:
1. Celsius Scale:
* Measurement of temperature is in degrees Celsius (°C)
* Freezing point of water is 0°C
Boiling point of water is 100°C
* The normal body temperature is 37°C
2. Fahrenheit Scale:
The scale was designed by Gabriel Fahrenheit.
* Measurement of temperature is in degrees Fahrenheit(°F)
* Freezing point of water is 32°F
Boiling point of water is 212°F
* The normal body temperature is 98.6°F
3. Kelvin Scale:
Kelvin is the SI unit for temperature.
* Measurement of temperature is in degrees Kelvin (°K)
* Freezing point of water is 273°K
Boiling point of water is 373°K
* The normal body temperature is 310°K
TEMPERATURE CONVERSION
From Celsius To Celsius
Fahrenheit °F = °C ×9/5 +32 °C =(°F-32) × 5/9
Kelvin K =°C + 273 °C = K- 273
TYPES OF THERMOMETERS
* Clinical thermometer
* Laboratory thermometer
* Maximum- Minimum thermometer (weather report)
CLINICAL THERMOMETER
The range of this thermometer is between 35°C to 42°C and 94°F to108°F
Main types of clinical thermometers are:
1. Mercury clinical thermometer
The thermometer has n arrow glass
tube with round narrower ending called
bulb.
The glass tube has scales marked on it.
The bulb contains mercury.
The level of mercury in the thermometer
would rise on keeping the bulb under the
tongue for 2 minutes.
2. Digital clinical thermometer
Since mercury is a toxic metal, the mercury thermometer has
been replaced with more convenient and safer thermometer
called digital clinical thermometer.
This thermometer has heat sensors which help in
measuring the body temperature.
It displays the reading of the body- temperature digitally.
3. Infrared thermometer
During the covid- pandemic touch-less thermometer became
very popular.
Infrared thermometer could read body- temperature
from a distance.
LABORATORY THERMOMETER
Laboratory thermometer is used to measure the temperature of objects other than
human body.
It is used in laboratories to measure the temperatures of various substances accurately.
A laboratory thermometer is taller than a clinical thermometer.
The temperature range of this thermometer is -10°C to 110°C
It is made up of a narrow tube containing mercury in the bulb.
Some laboratory thermometers may contain alcohol instead of mercury.
Q. State the similarities and differences between the laboratory thermometer and the clinical
thermometer.
Ans. SIMILARITIES
Both have a Celsius scale marked on them.
Both have long, narrow glass tube.
Both have capillary tube in the glass tube.
Both use mercury in the bulbs.
Both are fragile and must be handled with care.
DIFFERENCES
Laboratory Thermometer Clinical Thermometer
1. It is used to measure the temperature of1. It is used to measure the temperature of
substances present in the laboratory. human beings.
2. The temperature range is -10°C to 110°C 2 The temperature range is 35°C to 42°C
3. There is no kink in the thermometer. 3. It has a kink to prevent the backflow of
mercury.
4. The temperature falls immediately after 4. Temperature can be read even after
it is taken out from the substance. removing it from the human body.
5. It has to be kept upright while reading 5. It can be tilted while reading the
the temperature. temperature.
Q. What are the precautions to be taken while using a clinical thermometer?
A. 1. Wash the thermometer with soap and water before
and after the use.
2. Check the mercury level before use. Shake it if it is
equal to or more than 35°C
3. Read the mercury level in line with the eye level.
4. Shake the thermometer after use.
Q. State the precautions to be observed while using a laboratory thermometer.
A. 1. Take the reading while the thermometer is still in
contact with the substance of whose temperature you
are measuring.
2. It must not touch the bottom or sides of the jar if
measuring the temperature of a liquid kept in it.
3. Read the temperature in line with the eye level.
Also make sure that it is held straight and not tilted.
Q. Why is clinical thermometer not used for measuring temperatures of other objects?
Ans. The reasons are:
It is put in the mouth for measurement and germs can gather on it from dirty places or
objects which can make it unsuitable for our use.
The range of this thermometer is suitable for our body-temperature which is between
35°C to42°C and 94°F to108°F