Choosing the right thermometer

Choosing the right thermometer

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Overview
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This task is about choosing the best thermometer to use in different situations.
Why is this important to be able to do? When we are measuring something in science we often need to be accurate so we can make good decisions.

 

Here are three different thermometers, A, B and C.

Question

Water boils at 100°C.

Which thermometer would be the best to use to measure if water is boiling?

Question

The normal body temperature of a human is about 37ºC.

If we have a fever the temperature may be a few degrees higher.

Which thermometer would be best to use to measure body temperature?

Question

Which thermometer has the smallest range?

Question

three thermometers

Which of these temperatures could you measure on all three thermometers?

    • 25ºC

    • 35ºC

    • 45ºC

    • 55ºC

Task administration: 
This task can be completed with pencil and paper or online.
Level:
4
Curriculum info: 
Science, Investigating in science, Physical World
Keywords: 
physical inquiry, temperature, thermometers, measurement
Description of task: 
Task: Select the most suitable thermometer to use for different purposes and answer two questions about scale. Assessment focus: making measurements decisions.
Curriculum Links: 
Science capabilities
The capabilities focus is brought about by the conversations you have and the questions you ask.
 
Capability: Interpret representations
This resource provides opportunities to discuss:
  • measuring accurately is important in investigations, and we have tools to help us do this
  • reading different types of diagrams.
Science capabilities: 
Interpret representations
Answers/responses: 
  Y8 (11/1998)
a) i)
ii)		 C
A		 easy
difficult
b)    A easy
c)    B easy

An online version of this task was developed in 2013. A trial of 65 students provided similar results to the 1998 trial. However, while Question a) ii) was still the most difficult question, they found it easier than the 1998 students (medium difficulty).

Diagnostic and formative information: 
      Common error
a) ii) Thermometer B chosen by 45% of students.