LIQUID IN GLASS

THERMOMETER
LIQUID IN GLASS THERMOMETER

a thermometer in which the

thermally sensitive element is a
liquid contained in a graduated
glass envelope. Most common and
well known thermometer
LIQUID IN GLASS THERMOMETER
 The liquid in glass thermometer are
commonly manufactured in two types

•Partial Immersion
•Total Immersion
Partial Immersion

Total Immersion
 Expansion Chamber

Capillary Tube

Scale

Stem

Column of Mercury

Constriction
Mercury Bulb
Expansion Chamber

space that is taken up by the gas in

the capillary bore; it is pushed
back as the mercury rises into it.

Parts
Capillary Tube

space that is taken up by the gas in

the capillary bore; it is pushed
back as the mercury rises into it.

Parts
Scale

divisions of equal length (degrees) marked

on the thermometer that constitute the
units of measurement.

Parts
Column of mercury

quantity of mercury that is contained in the

capillary bore; its height varies with the
temperature.

Parts
Constriction

narrowing that prevents the mercury from

spontaneously dropping into the bulb as
the temperature lowers (the thermometer
must be shaken to make it go down).

Parts
Mercury Bulb

glass reservoir containing mercury (a

liquid metal) that expands and rises in
the capillary tube as the temperature
rises.

Parts
Stem
Glass tube containing the capillary bore.

Parts
Most common type of Liquid in
glass thermometer

Mercury
Alcohol
Mercury in thermometer

It has a boiling point of 674°F (356.7°C) and

a melting point of -38°F (-38.89°C). Mercury
is stable (it does not react) in air and water,
does not expand upon solidification and
therefore will not break the glass tube of
the thermometer.
Alcohol in glass thermometer

spirit thermometer is an alternative to

the mercury in glass thermometer and
functions in a similar way. But unlike
mercury-in-glass thermometer, the
contents of an alcohol thermometer are
less toxic and will evaporate away fairly
quickly.
Mercury Vs Alcohol

Advantages Disadvantages
Mercury thermometers they present many safety and
Mercury are inexpensive, durable environmental hazards
and accurate.

also inexpensive and not as accurate as mercury

Alcohol durable. thermometers because of the
alcohol’s susceptibility to
evaporation,
 Useable Temperature Range
Working Liquid Temperature range
Mercury -38 to 650

Alcohol -110 to 100

Toluene -90 to 100

The Liquid Glass Thermometer
Advantages Disadvantages
No power source required Limited to applications

Repeatable Have a limited useable temperature

range

Easy to use and cheap Cannot be digitized or automated