Question

Mercury is commonly used as a thermometric fluid rather than water because

• A. specific heat of mercury is less than water
• B. specific heat of mercury is more than water
• C. mercury has greater visibility than water
• D. density of mercury is more than the water

Answer 1

The correct option is C mercury has greater visibility than water

Mercury is commonly used as a thermometric fluid rather than water because mercury has greater visibility than water

Mercury has high melting and boiling points making it a liquid over a broad range of temperature.

Since it is a metal, it has a stable coefficient of expansion hence it expands uniformly and noticeably for a slight change of temperature.

Mercury is a non sticky viscous metal and hence it makes a clear meniscus, helpful in readings.

Mercury will not expand when it solidifies hence it doesn’t break the glass tube of the thermometer.