Thermometer measures the amount of infra-red radiation only

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the functioning of thermometers, specifically focusing on their measurement of infrared radiation and the implications of visible light on temperature readings. Participants explore the relationship between different types of electromagnetic radiation and thermal effects.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking, Exploratory

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants question the meaning of "temperature for the infra-red" and the comparison being made regarding temperature changes. There is exploration of how thermometers operate, particularly the role of mercury expansion in response to heat. Some discuss the broader implications of electromagnetic radiation on thermal energy absorption.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants seeking clarification on terminology and concepts. Some have provided insights into the mechanics of thermometers and the nature of infrared radiation, while others express confusion about the original poster's statements. Multiple interpretations of the relationship between light and temperature are being explored.

Contextual Notes

There appears to be a lack of clarity regarding the definitions and comparisons being made between infrared radiation and visible light, as well as their respective effects on temperature measurement. Participants are navigating these ambiguities without reaching a consensus.

primarygun
Messages
233
Reaction score
0
A thermometer measures the amount of infrared radiation only, right?
so, if equivalent amount of visible light is illustrated on the bulb, the temperature for the infrared rises much more, doesn't it?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
That doesn't make sense to me. What do you mean by "temperature for the infra-red"? "Rises much more" than what?
 
Matter expands or contracts only when there's change of the infrared radiation level but not other electromagnetic wave, doesn't it?
 
If you are talking about ordinary Thermometers , they work on the property of mercury expansion on increase in temperature , the rise of mercury in tube gives us the degree celsius . Apart from that I cannot decipher what you mean in your question.

BJ
 
Mercury thermometers show how much a mecury column expands as it gains heat energy. Or contracts as it loses heat energy.

Any flavor of light that can be absorbed by an object adds energy to the object it "shines" on. Like a car with closed windows left in a parking lot heating with exposure to sun light.

Infa-red is light that has a wavelength a little longer than light that is visible to humans. Some animals can perceive some infa-red light with their eyes or with special organs like Jacobsen's organ in pit vipers. Humans cannot see infa-red, but we can perceive it as "heat" when it is hitting our skin. I think this is your confusion - you feel infa-red as heat, so you assume, incorrectly, that all heat is infa-red light.
 
The heating effect of electromagnetic waves decreases with decrease in wavelength and the chemical effect increases with wavelength. Thus the electromagnetic waves of all wavelengths have thermal effect, may be more or less.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
9K
  • · Replies 25 ·
Replies
25
Views
6K
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
3K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
11K