Access free live classes and tests on the app
Download
+
Unacademy
  • Goals
    • AFCAT
    • AP EAMCET
    • Bank Exam
    • BPSC
    • CA Foundation
    • CAPF
    • CAT
    • CBSE Class 11
    • CBSE Class 12
    • CDS
    • CLAT
    • CSIR UGC
    • GATE
    • IIT JAM
    • JEE
    • Karnataka CET
    • Karnataka PSC
    • Kerala PSC
    • MHT CET
    • MPPSC
    • NDA
    • NEET PG
    • NEET UG
    • NTA UGC
    • Railway Exam
    • SSC
    • TS EAMCET
    • UPSC
    • WBPSC
    • CFA
Login Join for Free
avtar
  • ProfileProfile
  • Settings Settings
  • Refer your friendsRefer your friends
  • Sign outSign out
  • Terms & conditions
  • •
  • Privacy policy
  • About
  • •
  • Careers
  • •
  • Blog

© 2023 Sorting Hat Technologies Pvt Ltd

Watch Free Classes
    • Free courses
    • JEE Main 2024
    • JEE Main 2024 Live Paper Discussion
    • JEE Main Rank Predictor 2024
    • JEE Main College Predictor 2024
    • Stream Predictor
    • JEE Main 2024 Free Mock Test
    • Study Materials
    • Notifications
    • JEE Advanced Syllabus
    • JEE Books
    • JEE Main Question Paper
    • JEE Coaching
    • Downloads
    • JEE Notes & Lectures
    • JEE Daily Videos
    • Difference Between
    • Full Forms
    • Important Formulas
    • Exam Tips
JEE Main 2026 Preparation: Question Papers, Solutions, Mock Tests & Strategy Unacademy » JEE Study Material » Physics » Thermometer uses

Thermometer uses

In this article we will learn about thermometers and their uses. Here we also discuss thermometer types and some important questions.

Table of Content
  •  

Thermometer

The term “temperature” refers to the measurement of heat. However, how do we determine the temperature? A thermometer is a device that is used to measure temperature. It is a device that is used to quantitatively measure the temperature of a system. In this post, we’ll look at how to utilise a thermometer.

What is a thermometer?

(1) a temperature sensor that changes as the temperature changes. A mercury-in-glass thermometer’s bulb or an infrared thermometer’s pyrometric sensor are two examples.

(2) a method of converting this shift to a numerical value for instance, the visible scale on a mercury-in-glass thermometer or the digital readout on an infrared thermometer.

In technology and industry, as well as meteorology, medicine, and scientific research, thermometers are commonly used to monitor processes.

Thermometers types:

The most prevalent thermometer kinds are as follows:

Thermometer for Clinical and Medical Use

A medical thermometer is used to determine the body’s temperature. Mercury thermometers account for the vast majority of thermometers produced in the twentieth century. They’re observant and exact. Because they are used in clinics by doctors, these thermometers are often known as doctor’s thermometers. It is used to determine a person’s body temperature in the range of 35°C to 42°C. Before and after each usage, medical thermometers are cleaned with alcohol.

Thermometers for laboratories

It is used to determine the room temperature of heated solids and liquids in investigations. Temperatures between 5 and 110 degrees Celsius, as well as higher temperatures, are detected.

Thermometers that are digital

To measure temperature, digital thermometers employ an electrical circuit. They communicate the information they gather to a CPU, which analyses it and presents it numerically on a digital display. They are simple to use, rapid, precise, and cost-effective. These are high-precision thermometers that are used to determine a person’s body temperature.

Ear thermometers with infrared technology

Infrared thermometers are used to measure body heat as infrared radiation emitted by a heat source. The temperature of the tympanic membrane, also known as the eardrum, is the temperature in the ear. One of the approaches for taking your body temperature through your ear is to use a thermometer. Children prefer this way of taking their temperature. The average ear temperature in adults is 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit (37.5 degrees Celsius). They should not be over-squeezed or applied to waxy ears.

Thermometers made of mercury

It has a linear expansion property and a temperature range of -35°C to +500°C (with compressed nitrogen). This sort of thermometer takes longer to read the temperature than others, and reading it might be difficult, especially for the elderly or visually impaired.

Glass thermometers with alcohol

It’s composed of sealed glass and displays the temperature on a graduated scale based on the temperature of mercury or alcohol. These liquids dilate and contract as the temperature changes. Because of the risk of mercury contact, these thermometers now include coloured alcohol.

 Thermometers with platinum resistance

These use a platinum wire attached to an electrical resistance that changes with temperature to take temperature readings. It’s widely used to monitor exterior temperatures, and it’s very precise, albeit slow.

In these thermometers, the resistance of the material increases in direct proportion to the increase in temperature. It monitors temperatures ranging from 500 to 2300 degrees Celsius.

Thermocouple thermometers are a type of thermometer that uses a pair of thermocouples

In laboratories, these thermometers are widely used to quickly measure temperature. They accomplish this by employing an electrical resistance that generates a voltage that varies with the temperature of the connection. It detects temperatures between 500 and 2300 degrees Celsius.

Thermometer made of plastic strips

Plastic strip thermometers are used to determine a child’s body temperature. Certain plastic strips placed on a baby’s forehead can detect temperature fluctuations in real time using a colorimetric scale to determine whether or not the infant has a fever. However, such a calculation is merely indicative and not precise.

Thermometer’s uses

The fundamental purpose of a thermometer is to measure the temperature of an object, and the surrounding atmosphere. Thermometers are available in a wide range of shapes and sizes, and they can be utilised in a variety of applications.

Some examples of thermometer applications and uses are as follows:

🡪In the House

🡪 in Cars

🡪 in Restaurants

🡪 in industries

conclusion

A thermometer is an instrument for determining temperature. A small glass tube with a thin liquid column that rises and falls in response to temperature variations is commonly used. In technology and industry, thermometers are widely used to monitor processes. A medical thermometer is used to determine the body’s temperature. The room temperature of heated solids and liquids is determined using a laboratory thermometer. Thermometers that use infrared technology may capture readings from a long distance. In the medical and scientific fields, clinical and laboratory thermometers are utilised.

faq

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to the most common queries related to the JEE Examination Preparation.

In a mercury clinical thermometer, what is the purpose of the kink?

Ans: The kink in the mercury clinical thermometer prevents the mercury...Read full

Describe the clinical thermometer's limitations.

Ans: The clinical thermometer is unable to measure temperatures above 4...Read full

Other than the human body, how can we estimate the temperature of other objects?

Ans: Because clinical thermometers cannot produce readings over 42°C,...Read full

Before utilising the clinical thermometer, you may have noted that it is given a few sharp jerks. What's the rationale behind it?

Ans. Before employing a clinical thermometer, jerks are administered to it so that the mercury level drops be...Read full

Ans:

The kink in the mercury clinical thermometer prevents the mercury from flowing back to the bulb before the temperature reading is taken.

Ans:

The clinical thermometer is unable to measure temperatures above 42°C.

It can break if it is kept in the sun or near a flame.

Ans:

Because clinical thermometers cannot produce readings over 42°C, temperature of other items can be determined with a laboratory thermometer.

Ans.

Before employing a clinical thermometer, jerks are administered to it so that the mercury level drops below normal. It will assist in accurately determining the body’s temperature.

Crack IIT JEE with Unacademy

Get subscription and access unlimited live and recorded courses from India’s best educators

  • Structured syllabus
  • Daily live classes
  • Ask doubts
  • Tests & practice
Learn more

Notifications

Get all the important information related to the JEE Exam including the process of application, important calendar dates, eligibility criteria, exam centers etc.

Allotment of Examination Centre
JEE Advanced Eligibility Criteria
JEE Advanced Exam Dates
JEE Advanced Exam Pattern 2023
JEE Advanced Syllabus
JEE Application Fee
JEE Application Process
JEE Eligibility Criteria 2023
JEE Exam Language and Centres
JEE Exam Pattern – Check JEE Paper Pattern 2024
JEE Examination Scheme
JEE Main 2024 Admit Card (OUT) – Steps to Download Session 1 Hall Ticket
JEE Main Application Form
JEE Main Eligibility Criteria 2024
JEE Main Exam Dates
JEE Main Exam Pattern
JEE Main Highlights
JEE Main Paper Analysis
JEE Main Question Paper with Solutions and Answer Keys
JEE Main Result 2022 (Out)
JEE Main Revised Dates
JEE Marking Scheme
JEE Preparation Books 2024 – JEE Best Books (Mains and Advanced)
Online Applications for JEE (Main)-2022 Session 2
Reserved Seats
See all

Related articles

Learn more topics related to Physics
Zinc-Carbon Cell

The battery you use every day in your TV remote or torch is made up of cells and is also known as a zinc-carbon cell. Read on to know more.

ZEROTH LAW OF THERMODYNAMICS

Read about the Zeroth law of thermodynamics. Learn about the zeroth law definitions and their examples.

Zener Diode As A Voltage Regulator

Understand the concepts of Zener diodes. Also, learn about the efficiency and limitations of Zener Diode as a Voltage Regulator.

Zener diode as a voltage regulator

zener diode is a very versatile semiconductor that is used for a variety of industrial processes and allows the flow of current in both directions.It can be used as a voltage regulator.

See all
Access more than

10,505+ courses for IIT JEE

Get subscription

Trending Topics

  • JEE Main 2024
  • JEE Main Rank Predictor 2024
  • JEE Main Mock Test 2024
  • JEE Main 2024 Admit Card
  • JEE Advanced Syllabus
  • JEE Preparation Books
  • JEE Notes
  • JEE Advanced Toppers
  • JEE Advanced 2022 Question Paper
  • JEE Advanced 2022 Answer Key
  • JEE Main Question Paper
  • JEE Main Answer key 2022
  • JEE Main Paper Analysis 2022
  • JEE Main Result
  • JEE Exam Pattern
  • JEE Main Eligibility
  • JEE College predictor
combat_iitjee

Related links

  • JEE Study Materials
  • CNG Full Form
  • Dimensional Formula of Pressure
  • Reimer Tiemann Reaction
  • Vector Triple Product
  • Swarts Reaction
  • Focal length of Convex Lens
  • Root mean square velocities
  • Fehling’s solution
testseries_iitjee
Subscribe Now
. document.querySelector('.targetTopBtn').onClick = topFunction; function topFunction() { window.scrollTo({ top: 0, behavior: 'smooth' }) }
Company Logo

Unacademy is India’s largest online learning platform. Download our apps to start learning


Starting your preparation?

Call us and we will answer all your questions about learning on Unacademy

Call +91 8585858585

Company
About usShikshodayaCareers
we're hiring
BlogsPrivacy PolicyTerms and Conditions
Help & support
User GuidelinesSite MapRefund PolicyTakedown PolicyGrievance Redressal
Products
Learner appLearner appEducator appEducator appParent appParent app
Popular goals
IIT JEEUPSCSSCCSIR UGC NETNEET UG
Trending exams
GATECATCANTA UGC NETBank Exams
Study material
UPSC Study MaterialNEET UG Study MaterialCA Foundation Study MaterialJEE Study MaterialSSC Study Material

© 2026 Sorting Hat Technologies Pvt Ltd

Unacademy
  • Goals
    • AFCAT
    • AP EAMCET
    • Bank Exam
    • BPSC
    • CA Foundation
    • CAPF
    • CAT
    • CBSE Class 11
    • CBSE Class 12
    • CDS
    • CLAT
    • CSIR UGC
    • GATE
    • IIT JAM
    • JEE
    • Karnataka CET
    • Karnataka PSC
    • Kerala PSC
    • MHT CET
    • MPPSC
    • NDA
    • NEET PG
    • NEET UG
    • NTA UGC
    • Railway Exam
    • SSC
    • TS EAMCET
    • UPSC
    • WBPSC
    • CFA

Share via

COPY