Clinical Laboratory Thermometer - Overview, Structure, Properties & Uses

Clinical Laboratory Thermometer - How to Use, Types, FAQs

Edited By Team Careers360 | Updated on May 25, 2022 02:14 PM IST

What is Thermometer?

When do you use a thermometer? If you're measuring temperature or a temperature difference (the degree of hotness or coldness of an object). For example, the mercury-in-glass thermometer's bulb or the infrared-pyrometer thermometer's sensor both include temperature sensors, and the thermometer's ability to convert the sensor's changes into numerical values is crucial (e.g. the visible scale that is marked on a mercury-in-glass thermometer or the digital readout on an infrared model). As a result of their widespread use, thermometers are utilised in a variety of fields, including technology, industry, and science study.

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Different Types of Thermometers

Our daily thermometers come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials:

Clinical thermometer
Laboratory thermometer
Digital thermometer
Infrared ear thermometer
Mercury thermometer
Alcohol in glass thermometer
Constant pressure gas thermometer
Constant volume thermometer
Platinum resistance thermometer
Thermocouple thermometer
Pyrometer thermometer

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Clinical Thermometer: Thermometer for Clinical Use

Clinical thermometer ranges are intended to be used in the medical field. In order to measure the body's temperature, this device was created. It consists of a long, narrow glass tube with a mercury bulb at the other end. Temperatures in the human body can range from 35 C to 42 C, with the average range being 37 C. The range of a clinical thermometer is 35 to 42 degrees. The mercury level tells us our body temperature in degrees Celsius. They have been replaced by digital thermometers in recent years since mercury is a hazardous element.

For a safe and clean checkups’, clinical thermometers must be sanitised before use.

Clinical thermometer Image

clinical thermometer diagram

Laboratory Thermometer:

In order to measure temperatures outside of the human body with clinical thermometers, we need a different sort of thermometer. When measuring temperatures other than the body temperature, a laboratory thermometer, or lab thermometer, is employed. There is a wide range of temperatures from -10°C to 110°C. It is meant to measure boiling point, freezing point, or temperature of other substances in a laboratory setting. If you want to check the temperature of a solvent, you can use a laboratory thermometer, but not a clinical one.

How to use digital Thermometer:

These thermometers employ an electronic circuit to measure the temperature. An embedded microchip analyses the data and displays it numerically on the digital screen after the data has been captured by the camera. They're easy to use, cheap, and accurate, so they're a great choice. Body temperature can be measured with the help of digital thermometers, which can be regarded as a more advanced thermometer.

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Infrared Ear Thermometer: Ear Thermometer with Infrared Technology.

Tympanic membrane temperature is the term used to describe the process of measuring the body's temperature using the ear's interior. Children's temperatures are often taken using this method since it is rapid. Thermal energy from the heat source is captured by the infrared thermometer. Adults have a typical ear temperature of 37.5°C.

Mercury Thermometer: Thermometer with Mercury

Some industries do not utilise these thermometers since they are prone to breaking. Mercury is a toxic liquid that can be harmful to your health if consumed in large amounts. When it comes to reliable temperature readings, mercury thermometers are the go-to choice. Under the arm, orally, and rectally.

Alcohol In Glass Thermometer: Thermometer With Alcohol In It

These are sealed glass thermometers. Glass Thermometer With Mercury Or Alcohol Measures Temperature Using Graduated Scale The fluctuations in liquid show the temperature. For safety reasons, this glass thermometer contains coloured alcohol.

Constant Pressure Gas Thermometer: Gas Thermometer with Constant Pressure

This type of thermometer can work at constant pressure and volume. It is used to calibrate other thermometers because of its excellent accuracy.

Constant Volume Gas Thermometer: Thermometer with Constant Volume of Gas

Gas thermometers with a constant volume have a higher pressure as the temperature rises. Gas thermometer with constant volume reads temperatures in the range of 0k to 500k.

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Platinum Resistance Thermometer: Thermometer with Platinum Resistance

To measure the temperature, Platinum Resistance Thermometers contain a platinum wire linked to an electrical resistance. Most of the time, these thermometers are used to measure the temperature of the air outside. Temperature measurements are accurate using platinum resistance thermometers.

When the temperature rises, the thermometer's material becomes more resistant. When it comes to platinum resistance thermometers, they can measure temperatures from 500 to 2300 kelvin (K).

Thermocouple Thermometer: Thermometer with thermocouple

These gadgets are used to monitor temperature quickly. It's used in laboratories. To generate a voltage that fluctuates with temperature, the device uses electrical resistance. In addition, it monitors temperatures from 500 k to 2300 k, which is a wide range.

Pyrometer Thermometer

It's the thermometer that follows Stefan's Law. This device measures the temperature from the heat radiation emitted by objects. These thermometers can be utilised without coming into direct contact with the objects. A pyrometer is a thermometer that measures temperatures higher than 2000 k.

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Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)

1. In what year did thermometers first appear?

As the inventor of the thermometer, Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit is credited with inventing it. His life was devoted to research and technology. Fahrenheit is credited with the invention of the mercury thermometer, which is widely used today. The mercury-in-glass thermometer is also credited to him.

2. For thermometers, what are the characteristics of alcohol?

Alcohol's thermometer properties include the following:

It is recommended that the freezing point is less than -112°C.
The boiling point should be established at 78 degrees celsius.
It's important that the alcohol has a brilliant colour.
A suitable heat-insulator should be included.
It should be possible to measure high temperatures.

3. How do you determine if a thermometer is accurate?

For a thermometer to be accurate, it must be inserted into cold water so that the stem is at least one inch deep without contacting the glass. Wait for a minute or less for the thermometer to register the ice water temperature. If the thermometer reads 32°F or 0°C, then it is said to be accurate.

4. When it comes to thermometers, mercury is a good choice. Explain.

When mercury is heated to room temperature, it turns into a liquid and has the highest coefficient of expansion of any element. Because of this, even the slightest variation in temperature can have a significant impact on the environment. Defined by its boiling point, mercury can also be used to measure very high temperatures. Because mercury does not adhere to the glass surface and has a shiny look, it is also used in thermometers.

5. How does the clinical thermometer work?

When a patient's body temperature is being measured, a thermometer is placed in their mouth. A specific amount of mercury begins to flow via a thin capillary thread at a certain temperature as the mercury in the glass bulb heats up.