How Long For A Thermometer To Register Correct Temperature?
They’re like 4.5 inch thermometrs inside of 5.5 inch glass tubes. they were inside of big floating plastic things, like for use in a swimming pool or large fish tank, but i took them out of the plastic to use for a science project. i am wondering about how long will it take for the thermometers to register the correct temperature after being placed in water? and if they are left in water in glass jars in the sun, will the sun make them hotter than the actual water temperature?
Yes, the thermometer will absorb more heat than the water will when it is in the sun, so it will get warmer. But then this heat will dissipate into the water fairly quickly. Still, you might notice a difference of several degrees. This sounds like a great science experiment to me. if you had two ‘identical’ thermometers, you could have both in one container of water, with one exposed to sunlight, and one in the shade.You could also check how long it takes for your thermometer to reach equilibrium with water when it is not in the sun.
the thermometer will register correct temperature as it reaches equilibrium. there’s really no sure way to tell you how long that would take, you will just need to observe it patiently.
if it’s on a sunny day, the best way is to cover the thermometer with something, because the sun will affect the reading and make it hotter, that’s why weather channels always measure the temperatures in the shade to get a more correct measurement.