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

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around selecting appropriate thermometers for measuring the temperature of various objects, including a domestic oven, a sick child, a cryostat at about 4K, and the sun. Participants are exploring the accuracy and suitability of different thermometer types for these contexts.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to identify suitable thermometers for each scenario, questioning the accuracy of common types like mercury thermometers. There is uncertainty about the methods for measuring extreme temperatures, such as that of the sun and a cryostat.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with some participants providing insights about the limitations of certain thermometers, particularly for extreme temperatures. Others are encouraged to think critically about the types of thermometers available and their respective accuracies.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating the challenge of selecting thermometers for a range of temperatures, including very high and very low extremes, and are considering the implications of using inappropriate types for specific measurements.

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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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