A thermometer has a distance of 20cm between the two fixed points, what is the length of the mercury thread when the temperature is 100°C
To determine the length of the mercury thread, we need to know the coefficient of linear expansion of mercury. Let's assume it is α.
The change in length of the mercury thread, ΔL, can be calculated using the formula:
ΔL = α * L * ΔT
where L is the original length of the mercury thread and ΔT is the change in temperature.
In this case, we know the distance between the two fixed points of the thermometer is 20 cm, which is equal to the original length of the mercury thread (L = 20 cm).
We also know that the temperature change is from 0°C to 100°C (ΔT = 100°C).
Let's assume the coefficient of linear expansion of mercury is α = 0.000181 per °C.
Plugging in the values into the formula:
ΔL = 0.000181 * 20 cm * 100°C
= 0.362 cm * 100°C
= 36.2 cm
Therefore, the length of the mercury thread when the temperature is 100°C is 36.2 cm.
To determine the length of the mercury thread on a thermometer with a distance of 20cm between the two fixed points when the temperature is 100°C, we need to know the coefficient of linear expansion of mercury.
The length of an object at a given temperature can be calculated using the formula:
L = Lo * (1 + α * ΔT)
Where:
L = final length
Lo = initial length
α = coefficient of linear expansion
ΔT = change in temperature
The coefficient of linear expansion for mercury is typically given as 0.181 x 10^-4 per degree Celsius (0.181 * 10^-4 °C^-1).
Assuming the initial length (Lo) is the distance between the two fixed points on the thermometer (20cm), and ΔT is the change in temperature (100°C), we can calculate the final length (L) as follows:
L = 20cm * [1 + (0.181 * 10^-4 °C^-1 * 100°C)]
L = 20cm * [1 + (0.181 * 10^-4)]
L = 20cm * (1 + 0.00181)
L = 20cm * 1.00181
L = 20.0362cm
Therefore, when the temperature is 100°C, the length of the mercury thread would be approximately 20.0362cm.