Which of the following physical properties can be used to measure temperature using a thermometer?
A)volume
B)pressure
C)density
D)viscosity
I got A
Volume is not a physical property. Nor is pressure. Are you reading these questions carefully?
The property that can be used to measure temperature using a thermometer is B) pressure.
To determine this, you need to understand the principle behind how a thermometer works. A thermometer measures temperature by a change in a physical property that is dependent on temperature.
For example, a common type of thermometer is a mercury-in-glass thermometer. In this type of thermometer, the expansion of mercury in response to a change in temperature is observed. As the temperature increases, the volume of the mercury in the capillary tube increases, thus causing the rise in the liquid level within the thermometer. Similarly, as the temperature decreases, the volume of the mercury decreases, resulting in a lower liquid level within the thermometer.
In this case, although volume is indeed involved in the temperature measurement process, it is not the primary physical property that is directly measured. The change in volume is a consequence of the change in pressure exerted by the expanding or contracting mercury. Hence, the correct option for measuring temperature using a thermometer is B) pressure.