The final result of a home- made thermometer.
Watch how a simple thermometer works
A thermometer is an instrument that measures the temperature. Temperature is measured in a scale called Fahrenheit, and in Celsius or Centigrade (used by scientists and by people in many countries). The point where water freezes is 32 degrees Fahrenheit (F for short) and 0 degrees Celsius (C). The point where water boils is 212 degrees F and 100 degrees C.
Thermometers help us know what the weather will be like. Here's a way to show how a simple thermometer works.
Experiment
What do you need?
Tap water
Rubbing alcohol (do not drink this)
Clear, narrow-necked plastic bottle (11-ounce water bottles work well)
Food colouring
Clear plastic drinking straw
Modelling clay
What to do?
1. Pour equal parts of tap water and rubbing alcohol into the bottle, filling about 1/8 to a 1/4 of the bottle.
2. Add a couple of drops of food colouring and mix.
3. Put the straw in the bottle, but don't let the straw touch the bottom (do not drink the mixture).
4. Use the modelling clay to seal the neck of the bottle, so the straw stays in place.
5. Now hold your hands on the bottle and watch what happens to the mixture in the bottle.
What you'll discover
Congratulations!!! You just made a thermometer. Just like any thermometer, the mixture expanded when it was warmed. This made the liquid no longer fit in the bottom of the bottle.
As the alcohol expanded the coloured mixture moved up through the straw. If the bottle were to get very hot, the liquid would have come through the top of the straw.
You can watch your thermometer and see how the liquid changes throughout the day.
What happens if your thermometer is in shadow or in sunlight?
What happens when it gets colder?
How does wind affect
the thermometer?
Of course, in order to accurately read the temperature, you will need to buy a real thermometer that is carefully calibrated for temperature changes. This one is to see how a thermometer works - just for fun.
After you're done with your thermometer, dispose of the liquid properly and rinse the bottle well.
Cut it in halves, or have a parent cut it in halves, so the bottle can't be re-used. Then recycle the plastic.
The re-used bottle could have some left-over alcohol in it, and you don't want anyone to re-use the bottle for drinking water. So, it's best to recycle the bottle.
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