Thermometers

Thermometers

Pencil and paper
Overview
Connecting to the Curriculum
Marking Student Responses
Further Resources
a) What is a thermometer used for?

 
 
 
b) What happens to the liquid in the thermometer when it is moved from a cold place to a warm place?

 
 
 
 
 
c) What temperature is shown on these thermometers?
  i)

 		 ii)

 		 iii)

 		 iv)

 		  
  __________ ºC
 		 __________ ºC
 		 __________ ºC
 		 __________ ºC
 		  
d) Why do hospitals often take the temperature of people who are not well?

 
 
 
 
 
  
Level:
3
Curriculum info: 
Science, Understanding about science, Physical World
Keywords: 
thermometers, measurement, scales
Description of task: 
Students are provided with a diagram of a thermometer and they answer questions on its use, how it works, and then read the temperatures from four thermometers.
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 reading different types of graphs e.g., thermometers.
Science capabilities: 
Interpret representations
Making Better Sense: 
Movement (measuring heat)
Answers/responses: 
 

Y7 (03/2002)
a)   Recording temperature. moderate
b)   It moves up the tube. easy
c) i)
ii)
iii)
iv)		 40 º ± 1
70 º ± 1
-10 º ± 1
25 º ± 1		 very easy
easy
moderate
easy
d)   Any 1 of:

  • To see if their temperature is normal/abnormal.
  • To see if they have a fever.
 difficult