Technical College of Engineering

Department of Petrochemical
COURSE: Thermodynamics I

Class: Second 2016 - 2017

Name of Experiment: FUNDAMENTAL OF

TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT,
PART B-
CALIBRATION OF THERMOMETER

Submitted by:
Experiment No: 2 - B
Date of experiment: / /2016
Date of submission: / /2016

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EVALUATION

Activity During Experiment & Procedure

Data & Results

Discussion, Conclusion & Answer to the Questions

Neat and tidy report writing

Overall Mark

Name of evaluator:
OBJECTIVE:

In this experiment we will calibrate a stem-type thermometer.

Introduction

One of the most common types of laboratory thermometers is the

liquid-expansion thermometer. In this type of thermometer, an expansion
liquid, usually Mercury or Alcohol, fills a glass bulb attached to a long stem
with a uniformly bored expansion column. When heated, the liquid expands
up the bore until the bulb reaches thermal equilibrium with the material
whose temperature is being measured. The expansion of the liquid is such
that the height it reaches in the stem is linear with temperature. These
thermometers are typically marked with equal spacing along the stem. They
are then calibrated at two different "fixed point" temperatures. Alcohol
thermometers are of lower accuracy than Mercury thermometers, but are
more commonly used in the chemistry laboratory because Mercury is toxic
and difficult to clean-up in the case of breakage. The lower accuracy of an
Alcohol thermometer is due to two reasons: (1) Alcohol is more volatile than
Mercury and so will vaporize into the space above the liquid in the stem; and
(2) Alcohol tends to wet the sides of the stems bore such that when the
temperature drops, part of the liquid remains along the wall of the bore.

Errors in measurements:

In statistics error is the difference between the computed, estimated or

measured value and the true, specified or theoretically correct value. Errors
are not mistakes. All measurements however are subject to a variety of errors
which can result in incorrect values. The goal of a scientist is to minimize
the possible sources of error in any measurement. The list of ways to do this
is large, but the most common ones used in class will be by following proper
procedures, calibrating instruments, testing versus known quantities, and
making multiple measurements.

Thermometer basics:

The simple act of measuring temperature with a thermometer can

easily involve many errors. When measuring the temperature of a liquid one
can minimize error by observing the following procedures:
1. Hold the thermometer away from the walls of the container.
 2. The bulb of the thermometer should be fully immersed in the water.
3. Allow sufficient time for the thermometer to reach equilibrium with
the liquid.
4. Be sure the liquid is adequately mixed.
5. Always make readings at eye-level.

Some additional pointers for using a thermometer:

1- Thermometers are fragile; do not use them as stirring rods. Stirring
rods should be used to stir liquids.
2- Always secure your thermometer with a clamp.
3- Many thermometers contain mercury (a toxic heavy metal); if you
break a thermometer immediately inform your instructor so the proper
hazardous waste procedures can be followed.

Calibrating:

Calibration is the validation of specific measurement techniques and

equipment. At the simplest level, calibration is a comparison between
measurements of known quantities and the value obtained using the
measuring instrument. Your first task will be to check the accuracy of your
thermometer by calibrating it to two known values. The two temperatures
you will use are transition between ice and water (melting point) which
occurs at 0oC and the transition from liquid to gas (boiling point) which
occurs at 100 oC at sea level. The melting point is not affected to a
noticeable degree by elevation; in contrast, the boiling point is affected by
elevation.

Procedure:

Set up the experiment and follow the directions given below.

A- Measure the Melting Point of Ice
1. You will need a ring stand, a ring clamp, wire pad, and a
thermometer clamp.
2. Have your instructor check your assembled apparatus before
proceeding.
3. Fill the beaker with approximately 75% ice and 25% distilled water.
4. Allow 3-5 minutes for the system to equilibrate.
5. Place the thermometer in the ice water solution and allow another
3-5 minutes for the system to equilibrate.
6. Record the temperature on the results page.
 B- Calibration at the Boiling Point of Water
1. Fill the flask about half full with distilled Water.
2. Turn on the heater and allow the Water to come to its Boiling Point.
3. Allow the temperature shown by the thermometer to stabilize. (~10
minutes after a rolling-boil has been achieved.) After 3 minutes at the stable
temperature, record the temperature to the correct precision.
4. The Boiling Point of Water is extremely sensitive to the
atmospheric pressure. You will be provided with the day's atmospheric
pressure. Use this, along with the data in the Appendix, to determine the
correct Boiling Point of Water. You may have to interpolate the data in the
Table. If so, a computer program that performs interpolation calculations
will be provided. What is the Percentage Error in your measurement?

Additional points to consider:

1- Obtain a second thermometer from your instructor.

2- The Tap Water used in preparing the Ice used in our Ice Point
Calibration will contain dissolved salts. What does adding salt to
Ice typically do to the Freezing Point?
3- The Tap Water used in preparing the Water used in our Boiling
Point Calibration will contain dissolved salts. What does adding
salt to Water typically do to the Boiling Point?
4- What is happening to Boiling point, if we do this experiment at a
highest point in Korek Mountain? Is the Freezing point will
changed?
5- Convert 225 oC to F.
6- Convert 15.4 C to F.
7- Convert 400 F to Kelvin. Explain.

Data Sheet
Stem Thermometer

Thermometer Identification

Type of Liquid ------------------------------

Temp. Range ------------------------------

Calibration at the Ice Point of Water

Thermometer Reading oC -----------------------------

Calibration at the Boiling Point of Water

Thermometer Reading oC ----------------------------

Corr. BP Water oC
Percentage Error % -----------------------------

Name: ------------------------------------ Date: / /2016

Signature of the Instructor: --------------------------------