Thermometers are used for the temperature measurement
purpose. Nowadays many indoor and outdoor thermometers
are used in homes and outdoor landscapes to measure
the temperature of a particular place. Nowadays
the thermometers are not only a temperature measuring
device but thermometer can also be used to serve
a decorative purpose. Many styles have been introduced
in indoor/outdoor thermometers which supports
the decorative purposes along with the measurement
instrument purposes. Thermometer is also a part
of weather station system if you are using one
in your home or landscape scheme. Outdoor thermometer
is also used in the landscapes. The outdoor thermometers
are especially designed for the décor aspect
as a nice looking outdoor thermometer can enhance
the look of whole atmosphere. Especially in the
garden décor schemes where the thermometers
are used more for the decorative purpose than
the measurement purpose.
Many types of thermometers are available for
indoor and outdoor applications. These types include
alcohol thermometer, basal thermometer, mercury-in-glass
thermometers, bi-metal mechanical thermometer,
electrical resistance thermometer, Galileo thermometer,
infrared thermometer, liquid crystal thermometer,
reversing thermometer, silicon band gap temperature
sensor, six's thermometer(also known as a maximum
minimum thermometer), thermistor, thermocouple,
coulomb blockade thermometer and oral thermometer.
The most commonly used type of thermometer in
case of indoor and outdoor thermometers is the
galileo thermometer. If we study the history of
thermometers, it is clear that it is based on
the first thermometer principle, made by the Galileo.
This is the reason it has been called the galileo
thermometer. A galileo thermometer consists of
small glass bulbs which have been filled according
to the requirement with different liquids. For
the purpose of distinguish different color liquids
are used in all the glass tubes. This makes a
galileo thermometer more of decorative thermometer
than temperature measuring instrument. This is
the reason that galileo thermometers are widely
used in the garden décor schemes where
they serve the décor purpose as well as
the measuring purpose.
The main principle which is used in modern thermometers
is the expansion of the liquids in a glass tube
as the temperature rises. Therefore, the better
thermometer liquid would be one which responds
more quickly with the change of the temperature.
Liquid crystals, alcohol and other liquids are
used for the purpose but the best material for
the thermometers is mercury. Mostly thermometers
available in the market are mercury thermometers.
Medical thermometers are also mercury thermometer.
With the advancement in the technology, the electrical
signals and different such transducers are used
for the temperature measurement purpose. The electronic
based instrumental thermometers are more accurate
than the liquid expansion thermometers. This is
the reason that mostly in the industrial applications,
where we require more precise and accurate measurement,
the liquid expansion thermometers are replaced
by the electrical transducers and temperature
measuring instruments.
You can make your own thermometer. These are
the steps telling you how to build a thermometer
at your own. To make a simple thermometer you
would require a clear plastic or glass bottle
which can contain 12 to 13 oz. of water in it
along with drinking straw and modeling clay. Water
and rubbing alcohol is used as the liquid material.
You can add a few drops of color to make the liquid
more visible. Fill the bottle with liquid keeping
in mind that the maximum limit for liquid is half
the bottle. Now insert the straw such that it
must not touch the bottom of the bottle. Use clay
to hold the straw. Now if you heat the bottle
a bit or put it in a cold place, the liquid mixture
would rise up or go down which can be observed
by the movement of liquid in straw. In this way
you can make a simple thermometer at your own.
