Thermometers for Oven, Child, Cryostat, Sun: Accuracy & Usage

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on selecting appropriate thermometers for measuring the temperature of a domestic oven, a sick child, a cryostat at approximately 4K, and the sun. For a sick child, a mercury thermometer is suggested, with an accuracy of +/- 0.5K. The sun's temperature measurement is clarified to require spectral line analysis due to the limitations of conventional thermometers. The discussion emphasizes the inappropriateness of using a mercury thermometer for high-temperature readings, such as those from the sun.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of thermometer types and their applications
  • Knowledge of temperature measurement principles
  • Familiarity with cryogenic temperature ranges
  • Basic concepts of spectral analysis in thermometry
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the accuracy and usage of digital thermometers for domestic ovens
  • Explore the principles of cryogenic thermometry for measuring temperatures around 4K
  • Study the methods of temperature measurement using spectral lines for astronomical objects
  • Investigate alternative thermometers for measuring high temperatures, such as infrared thermometers
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for medical professionals, physicists, and anyone involved in temperature measurement across various applications, including healthcare, cryogenics, and astronomy.

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Homework Statement



Describe the thermometer you would use for measuing the temperature of each of the objects listed below, indicating the thermometers approximate accuracy:

a) a domestic oven
b) a sick child
c) a cryostat at about 4K
d) the sun


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



No idea really!

I\'m guessing the one for a sick child would be your ordinary mercury thermometer that work by a change in volume in the liquid? its approximate accuracy is like +/- 0.5K right? What about the others?!
THanks
 
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Well you can eliminate the ordinary mercury thermometer for measuring the sun's temperature since it will vaporize long before giving an accurate reading... so presuming you figured that one out already you have some idea. Try thinking out loud here.
 
Ok so I guess the sun one is done by spectral lines or something? What about the others? Cant really think out loud as I just don't know what different types there are.. :(
 

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