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How Many Types Of Thermometers Are There

How Many Types Of Thermometers Are There

Edited By Team Careers360 | Updated on Mar 23, 2023 12:12 PM IST

The two groups broadly describe thermometers: Clinical Thermometers and Laboratory Thermometers.

A thermometer is a special kind of device that is primarily used to determine an object's temperature. To put it another way, a thermometer is a special instrument made particularly to detect temperature gradients or the degree of hotness or coolness in items. The temperature sensor as well as the numerical reading, which converts the temperature measurement into a numerical value, are the two main parts of a standard thermometer.

How Many Types Of Thermometers Are There
How Many Types Of Thermometers Are There

Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit, a German physicist, invented the thermometer. The father of thermometers is another name for him. The fact that thermometers measure temperatures rather than heat should not be ignored. The mathematical equivalent of heat is temperature, which mostly refers to a type of energy. Common units of measurement for temperature include Kelvin (K), Celsius (C), and Fahrenheit (F).

Clinical Thermometers

Medical thermometers, also known as clinical thermometers, are created specifically for use in clinical settings. These thermometers are utilized to measure body temperature. A simple clinical thermometer consists of a long, narrow glass tube with a mercury-filled bulb at one end. The temperature of the human body is indicated by the mercury level. However, mercury is a poisonous and hazardous metal. Therefore, digital thermometers that can monitor the temperature without even contacting the body are used to replace these old-fashioned analogue thermometers. Sterilizing these thermometers before use is always advised.

The body's normal temperature is 37˚ degrees Celsius. This ranges from 35˚ to 42˚ Celsius. As a result, the temperature range for clinical thermometers is 35˚ to 42˚ C.

We regularly test body temperature using a variety of clinical thermometers, including the ones listed below:

  • Digital Thermometer

  • Electronic Ear Thermometer

  • Forehead Thermometer

  • Pacifier Thermometer

  • Pacifier Thermometer

  • Mercury Thermometer

How To Read A Thermometer

  • First, clean and sterilize the thermometer.

  • Bring the mercury back to the glass bulb by swinging or jerking the thermometer.

  • Take note of the temperature gradient between the thermometer's two larger scale markings.

  • To take the patient's body temperature, insert the thermometer inside their mouth under their tongue.

  • The thermometer must be held vertically to the eyes while taking the reading, and the eyes must be level with the peak of the mercury in the capillary threads.

Laboratory Thermometers

Since clinical thermometers cannot be used to measure temperatures outside of the human body, there are certain specific thermometers available to measure temperatures for other applications. The sort of thermometer used to monitor temperatures other than body temperature is known as a laboratory thermometer. These thermometers are also known as lab thermometers. In labs or testing, they assist in measuring the temperatures of boiling points, freezing points, and numerous other things.

Since laboratory temperatures are designed only for use in laboratories, they should never be used in clinical or medical settings. Additionally, maximum-minimum thermometers assist weather analysts in measuring the highest and lowest temperatures in any particular area.

Typically, laboratory thermometers have a temperature range of -10˚ C to 110˚ C.

Depending on the different temperature readings, there are many different types of laboratory thermometers. Among the most popular varieties are some of the following:

  • Liquid-in-Glass Thermometer

  • Bimetallic Strip Thermometer

  • Thermocouples Thermometer

  • Pyrometers Thermometer

  • Platinum Resistance Thermometer

  • Probe Thermometer

Examples Of Thermometers

Plastic Strip Thermometers: One of the varieties of thermometers for kids is this kind. The plastic strip is applied to your baby's forehead, where it changes colour to display the temperature if your child has a temperature. This is one of the least reliable thermometers, but it is very quick, simple to use, and does not distress your child.

Digital Pacifier Thermometer: These thermometers are only for use on kids. A sensor within the dummy heats up while the child holds it in their mouth, and after around 90 seconds, the temperature is displayed on a screen. This technique is limited in the age range it can be used for and only works with kids who can maintain the dummy in their mouth for more than 90 seconds.

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