Different Types of Thermometers for Grade 7 Students

Types of thermometers are important to understand because different thermometers are used for different purposes in daily life and scientific work. From measuring body temperature to recording weather conditions, each type has its own use. These thermometers are designed based on specific needs and environments.

In this article, we will understand the different types of thermometers and their uses in detail.

Table of Contents

• What is a thermometer?
• Different Types of Thermometers 

What is a thermometer?

Thermometers are devices used to measure temperature in daily life, science, and industries. They work based on the expansion and contraction of substances like mercury, which is measured using temperature scales.

There are three main temperature scales:

• Celsius scale (0°C to 100°C for freezing and boiling of water)
• Fahrenheit scale (32°F to 212°F)
• Kelvin scale (SI unit, always positive)

Thermometers are widely used to measure body temperature, weather conditions, and in scientific experiments.

Different Types of Thermometers 

Thermometers are of different types like the clinical thermometer, the laboratory thermometer, digital thermometer and the maximum minimum thermometer.

1. Clinical Thermometer

A clinical thermometer is used to measure human body temperature. It has a glass tube with mercury and a kink that prevents the mercury level from falling.

It measures temperatures from 35°C to 42°C, with normal body temperature being 37°C.

The reading remains constant after removal because the mercury column breaks at the kink.

2. Laboratory Thermometer

A laboratory thermometer measures temperature in the range of –10°C to 110°C. It has a long stem with a bulb filled with alcohol, which is safer than mercury.

It should be kept vertical, fully immersed in the substance, and the bulb should not touch the container.

3. Digital Thermometer

 A digital thermometer is an electronic device used to measure temperature and is a safer alternative as it does not contain mercury.

It is not made of glass, and the temperature is displayed as a number.

4. Maximum Minimum Thermometer

A maximum minimum thermometer is used to measure the maximum and minimum temperatures of the day. It is commonly used in weather reports to record temperatures in different cities.

In this article, we understood the different types of thermometers and how each type is used for specific purposes in daily life, weather monitoring, and scientific applications.