Identify the chief reason why an alcohol-in-glass thermometer generally shows a…
PHYSICS · Single correct · CBSE · Physics · Thermal Properties of Matter · Thermal Properties of Matter
Problem
Identify the chief reason why an alcohol-in-glass thermometer generally shows a larger rise of liquid column per degree Celsius than an identical mercury-in-glass thermometer.
(a) Alcohol wets the glass tube better; the resulting capillary action lifts the column further for each °C of rise.
(b) Alcohol, being far less dense than mercury, moves upward more easily, so the same volume change translates into a larger length change.
(c) Alcohol has a much larger apparent coefficient of volume expansion than mercury.
(d) Because glass expands more than mercury, the relative expansion of the alcohol column is larger per °C.