Thermometers

There are several different types of thermometers. A thermometer accurately measure temperature.There are many different types of thermometers that are on the market. Some of the more popular thermometers are outdoor thermometer. A Galileo thermometer is a glass thermometer. An outdoor thermometer is a great way to take accurate temperature readings. . An indoor/outdoor thermometer is extremely versatile as it can be used in both place settings. Galileo thermometers are based on the invention of the thermoscope. There are different types of thermometers. An example of how a thermometer works can be described by explaining mercury thermometers. A mercury thermometer works by the mercury liquid inside the thermometer either expanding or contracting. When the mercury becomes hot the liquid expands and when the liquid becomes cool it contracts this causes the length of the mercury column to either become longer or shorter. Mercury thermometers, at one time, were very popular in recording an individual’s body temperature. There are many websites that teach people how to build a thermometer. Constructing your own thermometer can prove to be a challenging but rewarding experience.

The history of thermometers is quite interesting. Thermometers were originally known as thermoscopes. Santorio Santorio, an Italian inventor, was the first to add a numerical scale to a thermoscope which later evolved into the modern thermometer. In the year 1593, Galileo Galilei, created a rough design of the water thermometer. For the first time in history variations in temperature were accurately measured, the indoor/outdoor thermometer measured outside and inside temperatures. Other important inventors were Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit and Anders Celsius. Daniel invented the Fahrenheit Scale which is a temperature scale. He also invented the alcohol thermometer in 1709 and the mercury thermometer in 1714. Anders invented or devised the Celsius temperature scale also known as the “centigrade” scale.

A Galileo thermometer is able to measure temperature fairly accurately but in modern times it is mainly used for decoration. The Galileo thermometer is constructed of a sealed glass tube. Inside glass thermometers are several glass spheres or bubbles that are filled with a colored mixture. Sometimes the liquid mixture is simply water dyed with food coloring or alcohol. The most accurate outdoor thermometers are digital. The reading of a digital thermometer is not affected by sudden sunlight or shadow which was a problem in the accuracy of an outdoor mercury thermometer. Also, over time scientists found out that mercury was a danger to the food chain. If the mercury enters the water supply then this can poison fish and then eventually humans. An outside digital thermometer solves all of these problems.