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MEASURING TEMPERATURE the Thermometer

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MEASURING TEMPERATURE the Thermometer MEASURING TEMPERATURE The Thermometer emperature — distinguishing between “the degree of hotness or coldness [of] a body or Tenvironment” (askoxford.com, 2005) — is a phenomenon that has been extensively investigated MIRVETTE CHAMOUN looks over a significant period of time. As a result of this investigation, a device known as the thermometer was at the historical development developed with a sole purpose of measuring the degree of hotness or coldness in a body or environ- of a measurement scale with ment using a particular scale (World Book, 2000). The apparatus constructed has the ability to show the the view of helping children temperature measure, as incorporated within its struc- ture is a liquid that rises and falls in a tube as the understand the role that temperature around it cools or warms (U Learn Today, 2001). This rise and fall is due to the fact that “when mathematics plays in society. the temperature rises, the liquid in the glass tube warms up and molecules move apart causing expan- sion in the liquid, which in turn takes up more space in the tube” (U Learn Today, 2001, p. 6). The history of the thermometer The thermometer took on many different shapes and forms over many years of exploration to get to where it is today. The accuracy and precision of the modern day thermometer came about after many years of trial and tribulation, experienced by an array of inventors and scientists. These scientists and inventors aimed in developing a device that took on the forces of the world around them to measure temperature. In 1593 a 30 APMC 10 (2) 2005 Measuring temperature man by the name of Galileo Galilei started the journey 100 degrees” (Bellis, 2005). In in discovering the best tool to measure temperature. In 1948 an international agreement his attempts at creating such a device the thermoscope saw Cristin’s adapted scale was born, which had the ability to recognise a change become known as Celsius in temperature (Bellis, 2005). The thermoscope (Brannan, 2004). This Celsius scale however lacked the ability to provide a numerical is now standard in a majority of value in accordance to the temperature being experi- countries and is used in many enced, as it merely recorded whether it was higher, households, hospitals, medical lower or the same as the previous temperature (Bellis, centres and clinics around the 2005). This flaw encouraged the scientist, Santorio world to measure temperature. Santorio, to develop the first thermometer with a scale In 1848 Lord William Thomas in 1612 (U Learn Today, 2001). The Grand Duke of Kelvin introduced absolute zero to Tuscany, Ferdinand II was the next person in line to the world of temperature (U Learn modify the components of the thermometer, intro- Today, 2001). This idea provoked ducing the idea of a sealed liquid-in-glass the last known scale to be intro- thermometer (also known as the spirit thermometer). duced to the measurement of The thermometer had within its chambers an alcohol temperature. The Kelvin scale filling and was accompanied by “50 degree marks on represents the ultimate extremes its stem with no fixed point used to zero the scale” of hot and cold whereby “zero (Brannon, 2004). This caused the thermometer to be degrees is the theoretically lowest inaccurate as it did not comprise a standardised scale temperature possible where and so the push for a more accurate device to measure molecular motion ceases” temperature was on its way. (Brannan, 2004). Lord William In 1714 Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit developed the Thomas Kelvin recognised and first mercury thermometer, which he identified as a used the degree Celsius in his more precise method for measuring temperature due scale (i.e., 1 degree Celsius is to the fact that “the expansion of mercury is more equivalent to 1 Kelvin degree) predictable combined with improved glass working however extending it to an techniques” (Brannon, 2004). As well as this, Daniel absolute zero of -273.15°C (U Gabriel Fahrenheit introduced the Fahrenheit Scale, Learn Today, 2001). Scientists which established a freezing point of 32°F and a around the world today use this boiling point of 212°F (World Book, 2000). These find- form of temperature measurement, ings were a revelation in accurate temperature as it is the most accurate. measurement impacting society as a whole. The The Kelvin, Fahrenheit and Fahrenheit scale is still used today in many countries Celsius Scales are the leading as their mode of temperature communication. scales used for measuring temper- Anders Celsius was the next genius inventor whose ature today. Each scale plays a work impacted greatly on modern day temperature different role in society with the measurement. The Celsius scale or centigrade scale same objective, being that an identified by Anders in 1742 divided the freezing and accurate measurement of tempera- boiling points of water into 100 degrees, establishing ture may be recorded. However the boiling point of water to be 0 degrees and the the history of temperature meas- freezing point of water to be 100 degrees (Bellis, urement does not stop with the 2005). Jean Pierre Cristin in 1743 “inverted the Celsius creation of these scales. It has scale to produce the centigrade scale which recognises been extended to the thermome- freezing point to be 0 degrees and boiling point to be ters that accompany these scales APMC 10 (2) 2005 31 Measuring temperature and how they have changed to attached to the thermometer so cater for an ever growing, techno- that students are able to note logically-advanced society. In 1866 temperatures in different situa- Sir Thomas Clifford Allbut intro- tions. The product created is one duced the first short clinical that is easy to assemble and a thermometer. The thermometer great source for learning. In Bobis, was an innovative and welcome Mulligan & Lowrie (2004) it is change from the 30 cm long stated that such a “discovery-like instrument that required 20 process is important for mathemat- minutes to register a patient’s ical understanding to occur as it temperature (U Learn Today, ensured that the knowledge was 2001). Today both liquid-in-glass meaningful” (p. 12). This is a and electronic thermometers are in major reason why I would place existence, which take a few the construction of such a tool into seconds to record the temperature a unit of work on temperature, as of an environment or body. These students will be actively involved electronic thermometers are quick in their exploration of the ther- and efficient and function with the mometer in a fun and interactive help of some inbuilt sensors way. Additionally, the creation of a (Bellis, 2005). The scales that are thermometer is a great starting Figure 2 located on these devices were point for further learning experi- identified many years ago and will ences in the area of temperature. undoubtedly continue to evolve. References A model for askoxford.com. (2005). Oxford Dictionary. Accessed 13 April 2005 from http://www.askoxford.com/?view=uk. students to make Bellis, M. (2005). The History Behind the Thermometer. Accessed on 12 April 2005 from A means by which children are http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blthermometer.htm. able to construct knowledge on Bobis, J. Mulligan, J. & Lowrie, T. (2004). Mathematics for Children: Challenging Children to Think Mathematically. the nature of temperature and its Sydney: Pearson Education. measurement is the sole purpose Brannan Thermometers and Gauges (2004). Who Invented the Thermometer? Accessed 12 April 2005 from of the product created. The ther- http://www.brannan.co.uk. mometer shown in Figure 2 has U Learn Today (2001). The Story of Thermometer. Accessed on been divided into three distinct 13 April 2005 from http://www.ulearntoday.com/index.jsp. World Book (2000). Thermometer. World Book International sections, each displaying one of Deluxe English Edition [CDROM]. the three temperature scales used in society today: Fahrenheit, Celsius and Kelvin. This allows Mirvette Chamoun is a third year primary education students to compare systems of student at the University of Western Sydney. temperature measurement used in society and allows students to recognise the similarities and differences of each scale. Pictures representing the different tempera- tures have been created and 32 APMC 10 (2) 2005.
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