As you know, a thermometer is a device used to measure temperature. This device is available in different types and is used for different purposes. In this article, you will learn about the use of various types of thermometers and how to work with each one.

There are different types of thermometers. They are mentioned below:

• Digital thermometer
• Thermocouple
• Laser thermometer
• Alcohol thermometer
• Mercury Therommeter

Applications of thermometer

Thermometer is used in various places such as car, home, industry, etc. In the following, we will mention some of these applications.

car thermometer

The car thermometer is actually a thermistor. A thermistor is a resistor that changes its resistance value and current when the temperature changes. This thermometer is usually located in the front window of the car. The installation location of this thermometer in cars is not suitable and during the day, it often reports a higher temperature than the actual temperature as the outside temperature of the car.

Body Thermometer

One of the most important factors in medicine and for diagnosing diseases is body temperature. Body temperature can determine a person’s health conditions. Medical thermometers usually work in the range of 35-42 degrees Celsius, the body also works in this range. If the temperature of the center of the body goes out of this range, the person will die. At a temperature below 35 degrees, the body will experience hypothermia and the person will die. The core body temperature should never drop below 35 degrees. A temperature higher than 42 degrees also affects the activity of the body and leads to the death of cells and ultimately the death of a person. Usually, high temperatures or so-called fever are caused by an inflammatory reaction in the body. Body thermometers are usually used to measure people’s fever.

Medical thermometers are more accurate than regular thermometers.

Medical thermometers usually have two types, mercury and digital. To measure body temperature, one of the following methods is usually used:

• The thermometer is placed in the person’s anus. The temperature of the anus is close to the temperature of the center of the body.
• The thermometer is placed under the armpit for some time.
• The thermometer is placed under the person’s time for some time.

For children, due to their sensitivity, it is necessary to use other thermometers, which are explained in the next section.

Baby thermometer

The child is more sensitive and one of the most important symptoms that can be used to detect inflammation and infection in the child’s body is to use a thermometer and measure his fever.

Other thermometers that are usually used for children are digital phone thermometers and forehead thermometers. The digital ear thermometer can detect the child’s body temperature in less than 1 second. Just insert the thermometer into the child’s ear. It is usually used for children who are bored and the child will be less bothered. Forehead strip thermometer is in the form of a strip that is attached to the child’s forehead and shows the temperature on it.

The choice of the method of measuring the child’s body temperature depends on his age:

• Children under three months: To measure the body temperature of children under three months, usually the best method is to use a digital rectal thermometer. In these children, the ear canal is still too small and not suitable for the size of the fever.
• Children under 4 years old: You can use a rectal thermometer or a phone. It is also possible to use sub-basin, but it is less accurate than the other two methods.
• Children older than 4 years: if these children have the necessary cooperation, an oral thermometer can be used. Of course, for children who cough a lot or have stuffy noses, you can also use thermometers under the armpits or earpieces.

Ambient thermometer

In many houses, a thermometer is used to know the exact temperature of the house. This thermometer may have two uses:

• Understanding the temperature of the house by the residents
• Adjusting the temperature of the home ventilation system

Thermometers that are used to know the temperature of the house by residents can be digital or non-digital (alcohol or mercury), but thermometers that are used for ventilation systems are mostly digital.

Industrial thermometer

Various thermometers are used in the industry to control the temperature of many processes and continuously monitor them. Depending on the application, the type of thermometer used may be different. Due to the breadth of the topics in this section, we will not go into it.

How to work with thermometers

In this section, working with various thermometers is taught.

How to work with mercury and alcohol thermometer

The basis of the work of these two types of thermometers is the same. To use them, we put their end, which is the alcohol or mercury reservoir, in contact with the sample whose temperature we intend to measure. Wait for a while until the temperature is fixed. We hold the thermometer in such a way that the line of alcohol or mercury can be observed. We report the temperature number on which the level of alcohol or mercury is located.

How to work with a digital thermometer

These thermometers, which usually work based on a thermometer, report the temperature themselves in real time. The speed of measuring temperature changes in these thermometers is suitable. In working with these thermometers, it is enough to put the sensor in contact with the sample.

How to work with a laser thermometer

These thermometers can easily and remotely measure the temperature. Just point their tip towards the sample whose temperature you want to measure and read the temperature on the thermometer screen. This type of thermometer is not suitable for measuring air temperature and reports the temperature of the surface in front of it.

How to work with a thermocouple

The way to work with a thermocouple is very similar to a digital thermometer. It is enough for its sensor to be in contact with the sample.