Temperature Measurement: Are All Thermometers Created Equal?

In summary, thermometers for the same object can have different temperatures due to 1) the device itself (bad calibration or change in temperature) or 2) the environment in which the device is being used (ambient temperature).
  • #1
barzani
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What is the difference in temperature with different thermometers for the same object?

Thanks !
 
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  • #2
Hllo Barzani, :welcome:

Ideally they should all agree and measure the same temperature ... :rolleyes:

Is that really what you mean to ask ?
 
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  • #3
Thanks

Suppose we have a one thing we want to find the temperature

Testing with thermocouple: 20 C

We will test with the thermomister : 24 C

With and ...

What is the cause of these differences?
 
  • #4
I can't tell from here. One of the two -- or both -- may be wrong, badly calibrated, ... Or the object under scrutiny is warming up in the time between measurements, or ...

Thing to do is calibrate the two measurement devices: measure in water with ice to find 0 ##^\circ##C and in boiling water to find .. at least the same value (which may not be exactly 100 ##^\circ##C)
 
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  • #5
barzani said:
What is the cause of these differences?

BvU said:
One of the two -- or both -- may be wrong, badly calibrated
I agree with BvU ... calibration would be the obvious reason for differences
 
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  • #6
This is 2 reasons
The 1-body may change the temperature at intervals between them

2. No calibrating machine

Is there any other reason?

Why can not I find something on the Internet
 
  • #7
davenn said:
I agree with BvU ... calibration would be the obvious reason for differences

good
?
but we have more another cause ?
 
  • #8
We need more details on how you're doing these measurements. They may not be making the same measurement under identical conditions. Are these in contact with the surface of your object? How do you ensure that it achieves good thermal contact with the object and is not influenced by the ambient environment?
 
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  • #9
barzani said:
This is 2 reasons
The 1-body may change the temperature at intervals between them
2. No calibrating machine
Is there any other reason?
Why can not I find something on the Internet
Things can go wrong for so many reasons that even the internet can't come up with all of them :smile:

By the way, this thread smells like a lab assignment and belonging in the homework forum...
 
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  • #10
barzani said:
The 1-body may change the temperature at intervals between them

yes, and that would have to be taken into account ... so therefore use both measurement systems at the same time to negate that problem

barzani said:
2. No calibrating machine
the thermometers SHOULD have been calibrated as part of the manufacturing process
For good quality ones, that shouldn't be an issue
For el cheapo ones, who knows what they use to calibrate the sensors. "You pay your money and you take your chances"Dave
 
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  • #11
BvU said:
Things can go wrong for so many reasons that even the internet can't come up with all of them :smile:

By the way, this thread smells like a lab assignment and belonging in the homework forum...
it is goodwe can also tell

The temperature-sensitive material is not directly in contact with air and is heated by thermal conductivity. This is a self-limiting factor؟؟؟؟؟؟؟؟/
 
  • #12
davenn said:
yes, and that would have to be taken into account ... so therefore use both measurement systems at the same time to negate that problem

the thermometers SHOULD have been calibrated as part of the manufacturing process
For good quality ones, that shouldn't be an issue
For el cheapo ones, who knows what they use to calibrate the sensors. "You pay your money and you take your chances"Dave
good thanks

see above my reply and tell me it is correct?
 
  • #13
RPinPA said:
We need more details on how you're doing these measurements. They may not be making the same measurement under identical conditions. Are these in contact with the surface of your object? How do you ensure that it achieves good thermal contact with the object and is not influenced by the ambient environment?
This is just an urgent question asked at the university asking and answering

Consider all the conditions for each device
 
  • #14
barzani said:
This is just an urgent question asked at the university asking and answering

Consider all the conditions for each device

So we have been doing your assignment for you?

Zz.
 
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  • #15
ZapperZ said:
So we have been doing your assignment for you?
The theme music from the movie "Jaws" starts playing softly in the background, and starts building...
 
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FAQ: Temperature Measurement: Are All Thermometers Created Equal?

What is temperature measurement?

Temperature measurement is the process of determining the degree of hotness or coldness of an object or environment. It is typically measured in units such as degrees Celsius, Fahrenheit, or Kelvin.

How is temperature measured?

Temperature can be measured using various instruments such as thermometers, thermocouples, or infrared sensors. These devices work by detecting changes in the physical properties of the object or environment, which can then be converted into a numerical value representing the temperature.

What is the difference between accuracy and precision in temperature measurement?

Accuracy refers to how close the measured value is to the actual or true value, while precision refers to how consistent the measured values are when repeated. A temperature measurement can be accurate but not precise, meaning that it is close to the actual value but not consistently so. On the other hand, a measurement can be precise but not accurate, meaning that it is consistent but not necessarily close to the true value.

What factors can affect the accuracy of temperature measurements?

The accuracy of temperature measurements can be affected by various factors, such as the calibration of the measuring instrument, the stability and uniformity of the object or environment being measured, and the presence of external factors such as radiation or air flow that can alter the temperature.

How is temperature measurement used in scientific research?

Temperature measurement plays a crucial role in scientific research, as it allows scientists to monitor and study the effects of temperature on various processes and systems. It is used in fields such as chemistry, physics, and biology to understand the behavior of substances, reactions, and living organisms under different temperature conditions.

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