Brief Notes On Temperature Analogy

Temperature is a numeric scale that is used to measure hot and cold. We talk about the weather, gauge safety and comfort, and explain the physical world using temperature scales. Temperature scales assess heat intensity, or the amount of thermal energy contained in a material or substance, by using baselines selected by scientists to create relative measures (like the air, a pot of water or the surface of the sun). Fahrenheit, Celsius, and Kelvin are the three most popular measurement systems.

Temperature is an intensive property, like pressure or density, in that it is independent of the amount of matter being addressed, as opposed to widespread characteristics like mass or volume.

Temperature scales

Commonly used scales

In most parts of the world, the Celsius scale is used to measure temperature. It is an empirical scale that was formed through historical advancement, with the freezing point of water serving as its zero point and extra degrees serving as the boiling point of water, both at sea-level atmospheric pressure. 

It was dubbed a centigrade scale because of the 100-degree interval. Since its inclusion in the International System of Units, the kelvin has been redefined in terms of the Kelvin scale’s equivalent fixing points so that a temperature increase of one degree Celsius is equivalent to a temperature increase of one kelvin.

International kelvin scale

The Kelvin temperature scale (unit symbol: K) is used in many scientific measurements and is named after the physicist who first devised it. It’s a purely numerical scale. Its numerical zero point, 0 K, is the temperature’s absolute zero.

The kelvin’s magnitude is defined in the International System of Units (SI) by numerous empirical observations of tiny particles’ average kinetic energy. The Boltzmann constant, whose value is defined as fixed by international convention, is used to calculate it numerically.

Absolute scale

A temperature scale is defined and stated to be absolute since it is independent of the features of individual thermometric substances and thermometer mechanisms for independently moving microscopic particles, disregarding inter particle potential energy, by international agreement. It does not have any reference temperatures other than absolute zero. The Kelvin scale, which is commonly used in science and technology, is the name of this scale.

Zero absolute

The third law of thermodynamics states that at absolute zero, no energy can be extracted from matter as heat. Although the matter has no macroscopic thermal energy at this temperature, it still has quantum-mechanical zero-point energy, as predicted by the uncertainty principle, despite the fact that this is not included in the definition of absolute temperature.

Thermometer

A thermometer is used for measuring temperature. It can detect the temperature of a solid, like food, a liquid, like water, or a gas, like air. The three most prevalent temperature units are Celsius, Fahrenheit, and Kelvin. The Celsius scale is a metric unit of measurement. Units of mass, such as kilogrammes and units of length, such as kilometres, are also included in the metric system of measurement. Almost every country in the world uses the metric system, which includes Celsius. The Celsius scale is used in almost all scientific domains to measure temperature.

Thermometers are frequently used to monitor processes in technology and industry, as well as in meteorology, medicine, and scientific study.

Application of thermometer

• Temperature sensors are employed in many scientific and technical applications, particularly in measuring systems. 
• Temperature control systems are primarily electrical or mechanical, and they are sometimes inseparable from the system they regulate (as in the case of a mercury-in-glass thermometer). 
• In cold-weather climates, thermometers are used on roads to assist assess if the icing is present.
• Thermistors are utilised in air conditioners, freezers, heaters, refrigerators, and water heaters in the home. 
• Due to their narrow measuring range, Galileo thermometers are used to measure indoor air temperature.
• These thermometers (which use thermochromic liquid crystals) are also used in mood rings and to monitor the temperature of fish aquariums’ water.
• In nuclear power plants, fibre Bragg grating temperature sensors are used to monitor reactor core temperatures and prevent nuclear meltdowns.

Types of thermometer

1-Medical/clinical thermometer

Body temperature is measured with a medical thermometer. Mercury thermometers account for the majority of thermometers produced in the twentieth century. They’re sensitive and precise, with a small area where mercury levels rise quickly. The mercury level is not lowering on its own due to a kink in the tube. These thermometers are also referred to as doctor’s thermometers since they are utilised in clinics by doctors. It’s used to determine the temperature of a person’s body between 35 and 42 degrees Celsius. Alcohol is used to clean medical thermometers before and after use.

2-Laboratory thermometer

It’s used in investigations to determine the room temperature of heated solids and liquids. It can detect temperatures ranging from 5 to 110 degrees Celsius, as well as greater temperatures.

3-Digital thermometer

An electronic circuit is used in digital thermometers to measure temperature. The data they collect is transmitted to a microprocessor, which interprets it and displays it numerically on a digital screen. They’re simple to use, quick, precise, and affordable. These are high-resolution thermometers that are used to measure the temperature of a body accurately.

4-Ear thermometers that use infrared technology

The tympanic membrane temperature, often known as the eardrum temperature, is the temperature in the ear. Using the inside of your ear, you can take your body temperature in a variety of ways. This method of taking temperature is popular with children since it is rapid. In adults, the typical ear temperature is 99.5 degrees F (37.5 degrees C). They should not be over-squeezed or used on waxy ears.

5- Mercury thermometer

It has a temperature range of -35°C to +500°C and is linearly expandable (with compressed nitrogen). This sort of thermometer takes longer to read than others and is more difficult to use, especially for the elderly or visually handicapped.

Conclusion

Temperature is significant in physics, chemistry, Earth science, astronomy, medicine, biology, ecology, material science, metallurgy, mechanical engineering, and geography, as well as most elements of everyday life. In many respects, our general health is also influenced by temperature. It’s crucial to keep medicine in cold storage rooms at the right temperature.