Simple Thermometer

Written by Marcia Malory

A thermometer which uses liquid, such mercury, to show temperature depends on the fact that liquids expand when heated and contract when cooled.

Equipment Needed

1 glass tube
1 cork
1 bottle
1 bowl
Water
Kettle

The Experiment

Pour a cupful of water in the bottle.

Stand the bottle upright in the bowl.

Insert a length of glass tube through the cork.

Place the cork in the bottle, making sure that it fits tightly and that the end of the tube reaches well below the surface of the water in the bottle.

Heat some water in the kettle and pour it in the bowl, so that it heats up the water inside the bottle, causing it to expand.

As the water in the bottle expands, it will rise up the glass tube

< Prev		Next >

Custom Search