Why do we use mercury as a liquid in thermometers?
We use mercury as a liquid in thermometers because of the following reasons:
1. Mercury is a metal found in the liquid state. It is a good conductor of heat. It expands quickly even with a slight increase in temperature. Therefore, it does not take much time to show the temperature of the body.
2. Mercury is a shining, silvery white opaque liquid. Therefore, the position of the edge can be read accurately on the scale. Moreover, it does not stick to the walls of the thermometer.
3. Mercury has a very low specific heat capacity and its rate of expansion and contraction is uniform.
4. Mercury has a low freezing point (-39°C) and a high boiling point (357°C). As a result, mercury can be used to measure a considerably wide range of temperatures.
5. Mercury is a metal, which is easily obtained in its pure form.
We use mercury as a liquid in thermometers because of the following reasons:
1. Mercury is a metal found in the liquid state. It is a good conductor of heat. It expands quickly even with a slight increase in temperature. Therefore, it does not take much time to show the temperature of the body.
2. Mercury is a shining, silvery white opaque liquid. Therefore, the position of the edge can be read accurately on the scale. Moreover, it does not stick to the walls of the thermometer.
3. Mercury has a very low specific heat capacity and its rate of expansion and contraction is uniform.
4. Mercury has a low freezing point (-39°C) and a high boiling point (357°C). As a result, mercury can be used to measure a considerably wide range of temperatures.
5. Mercury is a metal, which is easily obtained in its pure form.
