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5.
Galileo Thermometer
5.1
How the Galileo thermometer works
The Galileo thermometer consists of a sealed glass tube that is filled with paraffin oil and several
floating bubbles. The bubbles are glass spheres filled with a colored liquid mixture.
Attached to each bubble is a little metal tag that indicates a temperature. These metal tags are
calibrated counterweights. The weight of each tag is slightly different from the others. Since the
bubbles are all hand-blown glass, they aren't exactly the same size and shape.
The bubbles are calibrated by adding a certain amount of fluid to them so that they have the exact
same density. So, after the weighted tags are attached to the bubbles, each differs very slightly in
density (the ratio of mass to volume) from the other bubbles, and the density of all of them is very
close to the density of the surrounding paraffin oil.
As the temperature of the air outside the thermometer changes, so does the temperature of the paraffin
oil surrounding the bubbles. As the temperature of the paraffin oil changes, it either expands or
contracts, thereby changing its density. So, at any given density, some of the bubbles will float and
others will sink. The bubble that sinks the most indicates the approximate current temperature.
5.2
How to read the Galileo thermometer
Make certain the weather station is installed on a flat surface. The lowest temperature bubble within
the group at the top of the cylinder displays the current temperature.
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The lowest floating ball indicates the current temperature.
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If all of the balls float to the top, the temperature is below the lowest floating ball.
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If all of the balls sink, the temperature is above the highest ball.
5.3
Galileo thermometer warnings
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Warning:
This product is not a toy; keep away from children
•
Warning:
Contains paraffin oil. In case of breakage and contact with liquid contents,
wash hands with soap and water.
•
Warning:
Do not ingest liquid. In case of ingestion, wash mouth with water and call a
physician or your local poison control center.
•
Warning:
Use protective gloves to clean up spilled liquid and broken glass.
