Alcohol Thermometer

A thermometer is a device used to measure temperature, operating on the principle of thermal expansion in different substances. One common type is the liquid thermometer, which measures temperature based on the expansion of a liquid, typically contained in a thin glass tube (capillary tube). Ethanol is often used as the liquid because of its high sensitivity to temperature changes. The volume of the liquid, such as ethanol or another measuring substance, expands or contracts depending on its temperature, with this expansion directly proportional to the heat applied. This type of thermometer, like the mercury thermometer, is classified as a dilational thermometer, as it relies on the expansion properties of the liquid. Ethanol is specifically used for measuring lower temperatures, with a range between -114 °C and 78 °C, corresponding to its melting and boiling points. The model of this thermometer visually demonstrates the relationship between temperature and particle movement within the fluid. When heat is applied, the internal energy of the particles increases, causing them to move more rapidly, and the thermometer indicates a higher temperature. Conversely, when heat is removed, the particles slow down as their energy decreases, resulting in a lower temperature reading. The thermometer's scale is calibrated in degrees Celsius (°C).