Question

Which of the following is/are the reason(s) for using mercury in thermometers?

• A. Mercury is opaque and shiny.
• B. Mercury thermometer can measure a wide range of temperatures.
• C. Mercury does not stick to glass and requires less heat to expand.
• D. Mercury thermometers can measure temperatures as low as $-{100}^{\circ }C$

Answer 1

Answer: (A), (B), (C)

The correct options are
A

Mercury is opaque and shiny.

B

Mercury thermometer can measure a wide range of temperatures.

C

Mercury does not stick to glass and requires less heat to expand.

Mercury is liquid for temperatures between -39${}^{\circ }$C and 357${}^{\circ }$C. Mercury does not stick to the glass and mercury needs very little heat to expand. Also, mercury is opaque and shiny. As it is a liquid at these temperatures, it does not stick to the glass and expand at a decent rate, mercury can flow into a thin graded glass column. The reading of the temperature can be clearly noted due to its opaque-shining surface.