Simulations & Videos for

Lesson 1.3: The Ups and Downs of Thermometers

Interactive
Heating and Cooling a Thermometer

  • When the thermometer is cooled, the molecules move more slowly, get closer together, and move down in the tube.
  • When the thermometer is heated, the molecules move faster, get slightly further apart, and move up in the tube.

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Molecules in a Thermometer

  • The molecules of the thermometer in hot water should be randomly arranged, slightly further apart, moving faster.
  • The molecules of the thermometer in cold water should be randomly arranged, closer together, moving slower.

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Different Thermometers, Same Temperature

  • If the temperatures are the same, why are the liquids in the two thermometers at different heights?