Why does mercury in a thermometer goes up and down?
The mercury pools in the bulb, but when it heats up, it expands. Because it can’t expand through the bottom of the bulb, it is forced up the tube. That expansion, caused by the atoms flying around faster and taking up more space, is what makes the thermometer work.
Why does the mercury in a thermometer rise when the temperature goes up?
Answer. The reason of rise level of Mercury is as mercy expand in contact with heat. When we put the mercy thermometer the bottom of the bulb in hot object the heat is transfer to the mercy and it expand and rise.
What causes mercury to rise?
Elevated mercury in blood usually indicates exposure to organic mercury (such as from eating fish containing methylmercury) or recent exposure to a high level of elemental mercury vapor. For most people, an elevated blood mercury level is associated with eating fish and other seafood containing organic mercury.
Why is the mercury in a thermometer stored in a narrow tube?
Mercury thermometers. The narrow bore of te capillary tube makes the thermometer more sensitive. This is because a small expansion of the mercury in the bulb will cause a big change in the length of the mercury thread. The bulb is made of thin glass so that heat can be conducted quickly to the liquid.
Is there still mercury in thermometers?
Although mercury thermometers have been mostly phased out of daily home use, the tool, which was invented in the 1700s by Gabriel Daniel Fahrenheit, remains a standard measuring device for many industries, including regulating the temperature of a chemical concoction being made in an industrial lab, and monitoring the …
Is mercury from broken thermometer dangerous?
A broken mercury-containing thermometer can be toxic if the vapors are inhaled. The risk of poisoning from touching or swallowing mercury from a broken thermometer is low if appropriate clean-up measures are taken.
What happens if I break a mercury thermometer?
If you break a mercury thermometer or light bulb, a small amount of liquid mercury may spill out. Liquid mercury can separate into small beads, which can roll some distance away. The mercury may also evaporate into vapour. However, this small amount of mercury is extremely unlikely to cause problems for your health.
How would you dispose of the mercury if a thermometer breaks?
Wipe the area with a damp cloth. Put collected mercury and the cloth in the same bag and seal it. In case mercury has been spilled over the cloth, dispose of them in a sealed bag. Do not wash them or put them in washing machine.
Can you get mercury poisoning from broken light bulb?
Some thermometers and light bulbs contain very small amounts of mercury. If you break one, it’s unlikely to cause any health problems. However, you should avoid contact with the mercury and take extra care when cleaning it up.
How do you get rid of mercury vapor?
Sprinkle sulfur powder over the contaminated area and rub it gently all over the surface and into the cracks with a paper towel. Sulfur powder binds with mercury. Use a paper towel dampened with water followed by wiping with another damp paper towel to clean up the sulfur and mercury.
What happens if I touch Mercury?
Direct contact with elemental (liquid) mercury can cause irritation and chemical burns. Possible immediate effects may include dizziness, vertigo, flu-like symptoms, burning or irritation, pale or clammy skin, irritability, and emotional instability.