Q&A for How to Make a Thermometer

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Will it not do anything if it's really cold?

Meredith Juncker, PhD
Scientific Researcher
Meredith Juncker is a PhD candidate in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center. Her studies are focused on proteins and neurodegenerative diseases.

Meredith Juncker, PhD

Scientific Researcher

Expert Answer

If the water freezes, then it cannot move up or down the straw. So anything below 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius) can't be recorded.

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Question

Why is hot going up and cold going down?

Meredith Juncker, PhD
Scientific Researcher
Meredith Juncker is a PhD candidate in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center. Her studies are focused on proteins and neurodegenerative diseases.

Meredith Juncker, PhD

Scientific Researcher

Expert Answer

In hotter temperatures, liquids expand. This forces the liquid up the straw, mimicking the mercury effect in thermometers. In colder temperatures, it contracts.

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What should I do if the water won't go into the straw?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Make sure the top of the straw isn't covered by the modeling clay or else it won't work.

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Question

How do you mark the temperature marks?

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This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Use a permanent marker on the side of the bottle to mark different temperatures.

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Question

I made a thermometer and it does not work. How do I fix it?

Community Answer

Reverse engineer what you did until you work out where you went wrong. Or, just build a new one and be more careful in following the instructions this time.

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Question

How does the temperature work?

Community Answer

If you are using the jar and balloon homemade thermometer, the colder it gets, the lower the ruler goes; the hotter it gets, the higher the ruler goes.

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Question

Will this thermometer spill if it's turned upside down?

Community Answer

Yes, as the top of the straw isn't covered, if you turn it around the liquid will drain from the straw.

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Question

Does the straw need to move when I make my own thermometer?

Community Answer

No; if the straw were to move, the accuracy would be incorrect or low. If that were to happen, you wouldn't be able to measure the exact temperature.

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Question

Why is the straw needed in the thermometer?

Community Answer

It carries the liquid up to show you the temperature of the room.

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Question

I don’t have a clear straw, what should I use instead?

Community Answer

Maybe use a thin white straw or any other color that is translucent. If you don't have a white straw (or any other color) you could put a lot of food coloring into the liquid to make it really dark.

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Question

Can I use a color other than red?

Jmichalsbrown

Community Answer

The food coloring simply makes it easier to see the water level in the straw. Use any color you want.

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Question

What else can be used besides a water bottle?

Community Answer

Use cups that are plastic and tall so it doesn't go everywhere on your counter or floor.

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Question

Can I use hydrogen peroxide to make a thermometer?

Community Answer

A not so good choice. Hydrogen peroxide is not a stable compound that will resist temperature changes of a thermometer, it'll dissociate with time.

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Question

If we put it at the bottom why won't the mercury go up?

Community Answer

If you put the straw at the bottom, the liquid can't enter the straw, therefore, the liquid cannot go up or down.

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Question

I how do we know what the warm water’s temperature is?

Community Answer

You use a laser thermometer (or other thermometer) to test the water. Then, you mark the temperature at the area the liquid in the straw is.

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