why mercury cannot be used to measure very low temperature .Intead alchol is used since alchol is colourless .
Dear student ,
Alcohol can be used in some thermometers due the fact of its very low freezing point. It may be used in cold atmospheres such as freezers. It however would not be suitable in very hot atmospheres due to the boiling point.
Regards
- Freezing point of mercury is -38.8 degrees centigrade.
- As the freezing point of mercury is -38.8 degrees centigrade, it is not possible to measure temperatures below this value.
- So, the mercury thermometer is not preferred to measure low temperatures (below -38.8 degrees centigrade)
Alcohol can be used in some thermometers due the fact of its very low freezing point. It may be used in cold atmospheres such as freezers. It however would not be suitable in very hot atmospheres due to the boiling point.
Regards