How useful are thermometers if they only show their temperature?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the utility of thermometers, specifically questioning their effectiveness if they only display their own temperature. Participants explore the relationship between a thermometer's reading and the temperature of its environment, as well as the importance of proper usage and calibration.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the usefulness of thermometers, suggesting they only show their own temperature.
  • Another participant seeks clarification on whether the original question pertains to the calibration of thermometers and their relation to thermodynamic temperature.
  • A different participant acknowledges the ambiguity of the question but argues that a thermometer's reading reflects its environment, thus providing accurate measurements.
  • One participant asserts that any instrument, including thermometers, can be deemed useless depending on their usage and calibration, emphasizing the need for a clearer question.
  • Another participant notes that thermometers are designed to quickly reach thermal equilibrium with their surroundings, allowing them to accurately measure the surrounding temperature.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the usefulness of thermometers, with some agreeing that they provide valuable measurements when properly used, while others question their utility based on the interpretation of the original question. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the initial premise.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the clarity of the original question, and the discussion hinges on the definitions of usefulness and proper calibration of thermometers.

gdpudasaini
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Thermometer are useless because it shows its own reading? Please someone answer me how.
 
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I am not sure I understand you question.
Are you asking how we calibrate thermometers?
I.e. how to relate what a thermometer shows to the thermodynamic temperature.
 
Yeah, it's a badly worded question. Are you suggesting that the thermometer reads only its own temperature? If so, then you are correct; but... its own temperature is determined by its environment, so it gives an accurate account of what it's measuring.
 
Any instrument can be useless. It all depends on their proper usage and calibration. Thermometers are obviously not useless when used within their devised usage. Again, please restate your question.
 
Thermometers are designed to quickly achieve thermal equilibrium with their surroundings, thus reading the temperature of the surrounding.
 

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