Calibration curve of a thermometer using the laboratory mercury thermometer as a standard

Physics Experiments

Apparatus

Mercury thermometer, thermistor or any other thermometer to be calibrated, boiling tube containing glycerol, heat source, beaker of water, ohmmeter/multimeter.

Procedure

• Set up apparatus as shown in the diagram.

• Place the mercury thermometer and the thermistor in the boiling tube.

• Record the temperature $\theta$, in °C, from the mercury thermometer and the corresponding thermistor resistance $R$, in ohms, from the ohmmeter.

• Increase the temperature of the glycerol by about 5 °C.

• Again record the temperature and the corresponding thermistor resistance.

• Repeat the procedure until at least ten sets of readings have been recorded.

• Plot a graph of resistance $R$ against temperature $\theta$ and join the points in a smooth, continuous curve.

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Calibration curve of a thermometer using the Laboratory mercury thermometer as a standard

Physics Experiments

Results

θ/°C	R/Ω

Note