Alcohol thermometer

An Alcohol thermometer (pronounced: al-kuh-hawl ther-mom-i-ter) is a type of thermometer that uses alcohol, typically ethanol or toluene, as a thermometric liquid. The term originates from the Latin word "thermometrum" and the Greek words "thermo" meaning heat and "metron" meaning measure.

History

The alcohol thermometer was invented by the Danish astronomer, Ole Rømer, in the 1700s. Prior to this, Galileo Galilei had developed a rudimentary water-based thermometer. Rømer's design was a significant improvement, as alcohol expands and contracts more dramatically with temperature changes, making it a more accurate measure of temperature.

Function

The alcohol in the thermometer expands and contracts as the temperature changes. This change in volume is visible in the narrow spout of the thermometer, providing a scale for the temperature. The alcohol is often colored red or blue to make it easily visible.

Advantages

Alcohol thermometers are safer than mercury thermometers as alcohol is less toxic than mercury. They are also able to measure lower temperatures than mercury thermometers, as alcohol freezes at a lower temperature.

Disadvantages

Alcohol thermometers are less precise than mercury thermometers and they can be harder to read due to the color of the alcohol.

Related Terms

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Alcohol thermometer
Wikipedia's article - Alcohol thermometer

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Alcohol thermometer