Temperature is the measure of the hotness or coldness of an object or body. The practical unit of temperature is degrees Celsius (°C). A thermometer is the instrument used to measure temperature. There are many types of thermometers, but the most common are alcohol in glass and digital.
: Fig. 25.23 An alcohol thermometer
: Fig. 25.24 A digital thermometer Eureka
Handheld digital thermometers were used to check if someone had a fever before entering a building or event during the COVID-19 pandemic. While these instruments allow body temperature to be measured at a safe distance of one metre, they are not as accurate as other types of thermometers, as they measure external body temperature only.
?
TEST TUBE
10. List three possible uses of a thermometer in everyday life. 11. What temperature in degrees Celsius is being measured on the thermometer shown in Fig. 25.25?
: Fig. 25.25 Error in measurement
In measurement, an error is a mistake that is introduced into a reading or an investigation.
Three types of error can happen when taking measurements:
• A blunder is a mistake caused by carelessness, e.g. spilling a liquid before measuring it.
• A systematic error is due to a problem with the measuring instrument or environment, e.g. a metre stick that is worn down at the end.
• A random error is a mistake made by the person taking the measurement, e.g. reading a scale incorrectly.
) Fig. 25.26 Ensure measuring instruments are in good condition