the height of the mercury in the glass tube thermometer when in melting ice and then steam are 3 cm and 18 cm respectively

To find the height of the mercury in the glass tube thermometer when in melting ice and then steam, we need to understand the concept of temperature and how it affects the mercury column in the thermometer.

1. Start with the melting ice:

When the thermometer is placed in melting ice, the mercury column will contract and settle at a certain height. In this case, the height is given as 3 cm.

2. Move on to the steam:

Now, we need to find the height of the mercury column when the thermometer is placed in steam. It is important to note that steam is the gaseous form of water, and it has a higher temperature compared to melting ice.

As the temperature increases, the mercury expands and rises up the glass tube. In this case, the height is given as 18 cm.

3. Understanding the scale of the thermometer:

To accurately measure temperature, thermometers have a scale marked on the glass tube. This scale is calibrated based on the properties and behavior of mercury and allows us to read the temperature corresponding to the height of the mercury column.

4. Find the temperature scale:

To determine the temperature corresponding to the heights of 3 cm and 18 cm, we need to consult the temperature scale on the thermometer.

Typically, the scale is marked with various temperature units, such as Celsius or Fahrenheit. By aligning the height of the mercury column with the scale, we can read the corresponding temperature.

It is important to note that without knowing the scale or the markings on the thermometer, we cannot accurately convert the height of the mercury column into a specific temperature value.