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Firmly grasp the thermometer near the top, so that the bulb containing the mercury (or other indicating fluid) is pointed downward. Rapidly move the thermometer down and sharply reverse direction (and snap the wrist upward). When the thermometer reaches the lowest point of the stroke several times.
How do you reset a mercury free thermometer?
Grasp the Stem End Securely. Grasp the end of the thermometer that is opposite the bulb end with your fingers and thumb. The stem ends in a knob (usually colored either blue or red) that helps you to hold onto the thermometer during the shaking down process.
How do you reset a thermometer?
Likewise, how do you reset a thermometer? Fill a glass with ice cubes and then fill it with cold water. Stir the water and let it sit for 3 minutes. Stir again and place the thermometer in the glass, being careful not to touch the sides. The temperature should be 0 ° C (32 ° F).
How do you fix a mercury thermometer?
For mercury-filled thermometers Add enough dry ice and alcohol to a small beaker to cover the thermometer’s bulb. Immerse only the thermometer’s bulb into the dry ice and alcohol. Allow all of the mercury column to retreat into the bulb as it cools down.
Can a mercury thermometer be wrong?
Do mercury thermometers lose accuracy over time? Mercury thermometers cannot be adjusted after calibration. The actual temperature must be calculated by applying corrections to the measured temperature. This takes time and is susceptible to calculation error.
How do you calibrate a mercury thermometer?
Place the stem of the thermometer in the boiling water. Again, make sure that it’s submerged at least 2 inches and wait at least 30 seconds. Your thermometer should read 212°F or 100°C. If it doesn’t, keeping the thermometer in the water, turn the adjusting knob until the needle reaches the 212°F mark.
How do you check if a thermometer is working?
To test your thermometer: Fill a tall glass with ice and add cold water. Place and hold the thermometer in the ice water for 30 seconds without touching the sides or bottom of the glass. If the thermometer reads 32°F, it is reading correctly and can be used.
What does Lo mean on a thermometer?
‘LO’ means low temperature, and not low battery – so no worries! The reason why the thermometer shows ‘LO’ from time to time is that it is reading the room temperature – which is roughly 69.8°F/21°C. This is too low for our basal thermometer which can only measure down to 89.6°F/32°C.
How many minutes should a mercury thermometer be left in the mouth?
Mouth: Place the probe under the tongue and close the mouth. Breathe through the nose. Use the lips to hold the thermometer tightly in place. Leave the thermometer in the mouth for 3 minutes or until the device beeps.
How many minutes does a mercury thermometer take?
ORAL TEMPERATURE After shaking the mercury down, place the thermometer under the child’s tongue, with the bulb toward the back of the mouth. Tell your child to keep the lips firmly closed, but not to bite the thermometer. 3. Leave the thermometer in place for 3 minutes.
Why should you not shake a thermometer?
Shaking the thermometer hard is what gets the mercury down and ultimately drives it through the constriction so that it rejoins into a single column. In effect, you are making the glass accelerate so fast that it leaves the mercury behind. The mercury drifts to the bottom of the thermometer because of its own inertia.
How do I know if my mercury thermometer is broken?
If there is a paper calibration strip inside of the thermometer that includes the words “mercury free,” then the liquid in the thermometer is not mercury. If you do NOT see the words “mercury free,” then assume that the liquid is mercury.
Do mercury thermometers wear out?
Thermometers do not expire, but they do have to eventually be replaced. Digital thermometers will last about 3 to 5 years, while mercury thermometers will last indefinitely as long as they aren’t cracked or damaged.
Can thermometers give false readings?
No thermometer will provide accurate results if it’s used incorrectly. Never use a thermometer on a person that is meant for another purpose, such as a laboratory or meat thermometer. These won’t provide accurate readings.
Is a mercury thermometer more accurate than a digital one?
The digital thermometer is not only faster on body temperature measurement results providing, but also better accuracy results to us. Based on the tested records of the experiments, the accuracy of a digital thermometer could be 0.1℃. The accuracy is better than the normal mercury thermometer.
Are mercury thermometers more accurate than digital?
Both laboratory and clinical studies show that there is no significant difference in the average accuracy of the two types of thermometers, however there is a greater fluctuation of readings of temperature when using electronic thermometers.
How accurate is a mercury thermometer?
Scale Divisions and Accuracy Limits For thermometers that have a high range of 260° C, accuracy below 100° C is ± 1°-2° C for both mercury and non-mercury thermometers. Above 100° C mercury thermometers have an accuracy range of ± 1.5° C, while non-mercury have an accuracy limit of ± 3° C.
What can be done if a thermometer is not correct and Cannot be calibrated?
If the thermometer does not read 212 F (100 C) and the thermometer does not have a calibration nut: Either push the reset button or replace the battery and retest, or replace the thermometer.
