What type of Thermometer do I need and what are the choices?
When it comes to testing people (and pets) the most common devices are digital. Digital Thermometers can be used at distance to avoid human contact and become the popular choice during the pandemic by health professionals worldwide.
Digital thermometers:
Digital thermometers are designed with a temperature sensor, usually made of a thermistor or a thermocouple, that detects temperature changes in the body. The sensor produces an electrical signal that is amplified by the thermometer's circuitry and displayed as a numerical temperature reading on the device's screen. To use a digital thermometer, the sensor tip is inserted into the mouth, armpit, or rectum (depending on the type of thermometer) and held in place until the temperature reading stabilizes. The thermometer may emit a beep or other signal to indicate that the temperature has been successfully taken.
Mercury Thermometers:
Mercury thermometers work on the principle that mercury expands or contracts in response to changes in temperature. The thermometer contains a glass tube with a narrow channel filled with mercury. As the mercury is exposed to the body's temperature, it expands and rises up the tube, providing a visual indication of the temperature on a scale.
To use a mercury thermometer, the bulb at the bottom of the glass tube is placed under the tongue or in the armpit for several minutes. After the thermometer is removed, the temperature is read by looking at the position of the mercury level against the markings on the scale. It is important to note that mercury thermometers have been largely phased out due to the risk of mercury exposure and toxicity. Digital thermometers are now the most commonly used type for measuring human body temperature.
In conclusion, thermometers for human use (and pets!) work by detecting temperature changes in the body using a temperature sensor and converting the resulting signal into a numerical or visual temperature reading. Digital thermometers use electronic circuitry to display the temperature reading on a screen, while mercury thermometers use the expansion and contraction of mercury to provide a visual indication of the temperature on a scale.
