Question

Explain the construction and working of the clinical thermometer.

Answer 1

1. Clinical thermometers are used to measure the temperature of a human body – at home, in clinics, and in hospitals.
2. All clinical thermometers have a kink that prevents the mercury from flowing back into the bulb when the thermometer is taken out of the patient’s mouth so that the temperature can be noted conveniently.
3. There are temperature scales on either side of the mercury thread, one on the Celsius scale and the other on the Fahrenheit scale.
4. Since the Fahrenheit scale is more sensitive than the Celsius scale, body temperature is measured in F only.
5. A clinical thermometer indicates temperatures from a minimum of 35°C or 94°F to a maximum of 42°C or 108°F.