How does a Galileo thermometer work? Updated: Apr 16, This is a super close-up of Galileo thermometer. A blue bubble that represents 60 degrees A yellow bubble that represents 65 degrees A green bubble that represents 70 degrees A purple bubble that represents 75 degrees A red bubble that represents 80 degrees.
The Galileo thermometer, invented by astronomer Galileo Galilei, works mainly on the buoyancy principle. It is used to determine the capability of an object to either sink or float. It consists of glass spheres that move up and down as the temperature changes. A rising glass sphere indicates a fall in temperature, whereas a rise in temperature is indicated by a falling glass sphere.
What is the clear liquid in a Galileo thermometer? The clear liquid in a Galileo thermometer is ethanol, a colorless volatile liquid with very little odor. Although its density is less than water, it varies depending on the temperature, even more so than water.
How do you read a Galileo glass thermometer? You can read the ambient temperature by looking at the spheres that float in the liquid. Now, read the tag that is attached to the middle bulb to get the temperature. How accurate is a Galileo thermometer? This thermometer is better for approximations. It closely measures ambient temperatures, but because it uses buoyant forces its calculations may not be as accurate as modern digital thermometers.
Can a Galileo thermometer freeze? Galileo thermometers do not freeze. When the ambient air surrounding the thermometer increases or decreases in temperature, so will the temperature of the water that surrounds the glass bubbles. As the temperature of the water rises or falls, the liquid will either expand or contract, respectively, varying the density in the process as well. Specifically, water density decreases as its temperature increases.
You can trust experience in this case. For our Galileo thermometer, for any given density, some of the bubbles will float while others will sink. Essentially, the Galileo thermometer operates on the principle of buoyancy, the phenomenon by which objects of greater density than their surroundings sink and less-dense ones float. For instance, the ball marked at 78 degrees F will be just slightly less dense than tube liquid at that temperature, causing it to float. While the ball underneath it, marked and adjusted for 76 degrees will be denser than the tube liquid and will sink.
Join the ZME newsletter for amazing science news, features, and exclusive scoops. More than 40, subscribers can't be wrong. A small Galileo thermometer can have 6 degrees F of difference between the balls, which introduces a lot of error into the measurement. Larger such instruments have at least a couple of temperature difference between the diver globes. Suppose all of the glass spheres float to the top. In this case, the temperature is colder than the temperature reading on the lowest medallion.
Conversely, if the bulbs all sink, then the air temperature is warmer than the reading on the highest tag. The accuracy of your thermometer will depend on a variety of factors. The most important factor for accuracy is the placement of the device itself.
Like a typical thermometer, you should place the Galileo thermometer in a shaded area away from direct sunlight. Avoid placing the instrument near heat sources or cold spots, such as windows and doors, and keep it away from HVAC vents and appliances. One last factor determining accuracy is how the spheres are calibrated. If it is every two degrees, you should have no problem estimating the temperature with reasonable accuracy. However, as the interval between the medallions increases, more estimation comes into play, and thus more margin of error.
Finally, while the device can be used outside, it will work best indoors. The physics on which these instruments are based on works best within a specific temperature range—most thermometers will only have medallions for temperatures between 64 and degrees Fahrenheit. But for getting a general idea of the temperature of a room, the Galileo thermometer is a viable option that is functional and decorative. AcuRite is better known for its weather stations. However, it also produces various other weather instruments, including this Galileo Thermometer with Glass Globe Barometer.
Based on the principles of Galileo's work, each instrument allows you to read both the temperature and atmospheric pressure on a beautifully designed desktop stand. The addition of the barometer is a nice touch. The water level in the spout of the glass globe reveals the variations in barometric pressure. When the barometric pressure increases, the spout's water will be low, and fair weather can be expected.
If the water is high, it indicates lower pressure and bad weather can be expected. While you can't tell the exact barometric pressure using this technique, it will allow you to monitor trends. Reviews from buyers say that the thermometer and barometer are well constructed and look as great as it does in Amazon's pictures. You can't go wrong with the price either, which is considerably cheaper than some other Galileo thermometers we've seen.
AcuRite offers a one-year warranty on this thermometer and barometer, and while it's quite large at The Galileo thermometer is a decorative instrument that measures ambient temperature, and unlike the Fitzroy storm glass —it is reasonably accurate.
We think it's an excellent option for those looking for a unique gift for a weather enthusiast. The fact that it works makes it that much better.
Are you looking for even more weather gift ideas? We recently updated our list of more than two dozen useful and educational weather gifts suitable for meteorology enthusiasts of all ages.
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