What is a Laboratory Thermometer? Types, Features, & Uses
Thermometers are an important instrument in laboratory settings as they provide us with an accurate value of the current temperature. These thermometers are designed to measure very high or very low temperatures which is not something your household thermometers can do.
Just like a digital weighing scale, a thermometer is also an essential tool both in scientific as well as industrial research which is why you need to know about its main types and their features. This can help you pick a thermometer that has been designed for your specific application.
This blog lists some of the main types of thermometers used in laboratories around the world. So, keep on reading till the end to learn more.
- What is a Laboratory Thermometer?
- Types of Laboratory Thermometer
- Liquid-In-Glass Thermometer
- Bimetallic Strip Thermometer
- Electronic Thermometer
- Infrared Thermometers
- Thermocouple
- Uses of Laboratory Thermometers
What is a Laboratory Thermometer?
A thermometer is a combination of two words i.e., Thermos meaning heat and Meteron meaning to measure. A laboratory thermometer is a highly sensitive instrument that is used to measure temperature accurately in laboratory settings. Just like lab balances that give you more weight accuracy and precision, the lab thermometers give you a much higher temperature precision than normal household thermometers which makes them ideal for laboratory-specific applications.
A basic laboratory thermometer has the following features
- It has a glass tube with a bulb at one end.
- The bulb contains Mercury, Alcohol, or some other temperature-sensitive liquid.
- The glass tube is marked with a scale in K, C, or F, units of temperature.
- It is used to measure boiling points, freezing points, and real-time temperatures of substances.
- These thermometers have a range of -10oC to 110oC.
- These are made from metal or glass which is strengthened by annealing or thermal tempering.
Types of Laboratory Thermometer
Following are the main types of thermometers used in laboratories
Liquid-In-Glass Thermometer
These thermometers consist of a glass bulb that is filled with temperature-sensitive materials like red alcohol or mercury. As the temperature rises these liquids expand and move up the tube which gives you the value of the temperature.
These thermometers are very easy to calibrate and use which is why they are part of every laboratory glassware section. With a liquid-in-glass thermometer, you can get accurate results between -200°C and 600°C.
Main Features
Here is what makes this thermometer ideal for laboratories
- They are cheaper than other laboratory thermometers.
- They are very easy to use and maintain.
- You don’t need any power supply or batteries to measure temperature.
Bimetallic Strip Thermometer
This thermometer consists of two metal strips joined together where each behaves differently under a given value of temperature. One strip expands more than the other when it comes into contact with heat which bends it to the side with less thermal expansion coefficient.
A pointer deflects over the calibrated scale as the strip moves giving you an accurate value of the temperature.
Main Features
- These thermometers are durable and low-cost.
- These also give you greater readability and ease of use.
Electronic Thermometer
Electronic laboratory thermometers such as thermistors measure change in electrical resistance that results from a change in external temperature. These devices use extremely sensitive resistors to detect temperature changes which makes them an effective tool for lab applications.
Main Features
- These are used in ovens, refrigerators, as well as fire alarms.
- These are available in very small sizes for very specific lab applications.
- Electronic thermometers give you a quick response time and affordability.
Infrared Thermometers
This is a non-contact thermometer that can convert IR energy into electrical signals which can be interpreted as a temperature measurement. These thermometers consist of a lens that focuses IR energy on a detector. Forehead infrared thermometers can measure the temperature of the temporal artery located just under the skin on your forehead.
Main Features
- It can measure surface temperature in a quick and non-contact fashion.
- These devices are effective for measuring temperature in dynamic processes or difficult-to-access locations.
- They give you memory as well as advanced measurement features just like sensitive lab balances.
- These are very portable and easy to use.
Thermocouple
These thermometers consist of two conductor wires made from different metals which create hot and cold junctions. When the temperature rises, the hot junction gets heated. This generates a voltage in proportion to the temperature difference between the two junctions.
Main Features
- These thermometers are extremely easy to operate.
- They can be used both in static and dynamic lab applications.
- These are used in laboratory heaters as well as thermal processing equipment to get exact values of the internal temperatures.
Uses of Laboratory Thermometers
The following are the main uses of laboratory thermometers
- These are used in chemistry labs to get precise temperature measurements during experiments.
- These are used to enhance the accuracy of chemical reactions which leads to better outcomes.
- These are used in food processing and storage areas to ensure temperature control as well as food safety.
- Environmental monitoring applications like the assessment of air, soil, or water samples also require precise laboratory thermometers.
- These are used to create a safe environment inside the labs where the equipment can work optimally.
- These are also used to determine high temperatures inside the furnaces used in laboratories.
- These are also used for scaling the features of a material based on its temperature.
Conclusion
Thermometers are a must-have instrument for laboratories that deal will research and development. These devices can ensure accurate lab conditions as well as proper sample preparation which enhances the quality of work being done.
Different laboratory thermometers are designed for specific applications which is why you need to understand your needs before purchasing this instrument. Buying a laboratory thermometer that is made from quality material as well as that has a high range can prove to be a great addition to labs dedicated to educational, food, and environmental research and more.
Visit E. G. Kantawalla today to order our top-quality weighing solutions for all laboratory applications at a very reasonable rate.
Tags: Laboratory Thermometer
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