Chapter 21, Problem 6A

What is meant by saying that a thermometer measures its own temperature?

To determine

To Explain: Thermometer measures it own temperature.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

Temperature indicates how hot or cold is a body. It can be measured using a thermometer. Heat always flows from a body which has higher temperature to the one which lower temperature as compared to the former until both the bodies have the same thermal energy or one can say temperature. Two bodies having same temperature are said to be in thermal equilibrium.

When thermometer is placed in contact with the body, heat flows from body into it which raises its temperature unit both the body and the thermometer are in thermal equilibrium. Thus, one can say that thermometer measures its own temperature.