Q1DQ
Question
Explain why it would not make sense to use a full-size glass thermometer to measure the temperature of a thimbleful of hot water.
Step-by-Step Solution
VerifiedA full glass thermometer would absorb a large amount of heat from the water decreasing the real temperature of the water, which leads to a wrong read.
A thermometer measures the temperature of its own material. Thermal energy is exchanged between the thermometer and the system, when they are in contact, until thermal equilibrium is reached.
Measuring the temperature of a thimbleful of water with full size glass thermometer would cause a significant amount of thermal energy to be absorbed by the glass of thermometer from water, meaning that the final water temperature will be significantly different to the actual water temperature.
This would result in an incorrect measurement.
Hence, a full glass thermometer would absorb a large amount of heat from the water decreasing the real temperature of the water, which leads to a wrong reading.