Chapter 20, Problem 37PE

(a) Digital medical thermometers determine temperature by measuring the resistance of a semiconductor device called a thermistor (which has a= - 0.0600/°C ) when it is at the same temperature as the patient. What is a patient's temperature if the thermistor’s resistance at that temperature is 82.0% of its value at 37.0°C (normal body temperature)? (b) The negative value for a may not be maintained for very low temperatures. Discuss why and whether this is the case here. (Hint: Resistance can’t become negative.)