Question

Why is alcohol used as a thermometric liquid in certain situations? Give two reasons.

Answer 1

Alcohol is used as a thermometric liquid in certain situations because of the following reasons:

1. The freezing point of alcohol is less than -100°C, so we can measure very low temperature using an alcohol thermometer.
2. The expansion of alcohol is more than that of mercury for the same rise or fall of temperature, hence alcohol thermometer can measure temperature more accurately.
3. The bright color of alcohol makes it easy to see on the glass capillary tube.