The liquids in two liquid-in-glass thermometers, X and Y, expand linearly with temperature. The characteristics of these two thermometers are given in the table below:
| Thermometer | Temperature range | Length of scale (distance between minimum and maximum marks) |
|---|---|---|
| X | −20∘C-20^\circ\text{C}−20∘C to 100∘C100^\circ\text{C}100∘C | 18.0 cm18.0\text{ cm}18.0 cm |
| Y | 15∘C15^\circ\text{C}15∘C to 45∘C45^\circ\text{C}45∘C | 15.0 cm15.0\text{ cm}15.0 cm |
State and explain which thermometer, X or Y, has the greater range.
State and explain which thermometer, X or Y, has the greater sensitivity.
Suggest two design features that would cause a liquid-in-glass thermometer to have a large sensitivity.
Calculate the length of the liquid thread in thermometer X above the −20∘C-20^\circ\text{C}−20∘C mark when the temperature recorded is 40∘C40^\circ\text{C}40∘C.
96 exam-style questions on CIE IGCSE Physics 2.2.1 Thermal expansion of solids, liquids and gases. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.