Chemistry (including Biochemistry)/room temperature

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Expert: - 9/21/2005


Question
what is the most accurate way to take room temperature.  My mom says to put the thermometer in a beaker of water that has been made room temperature.  I think you can just hold up the thermometer.  Am I right?

Answer
You are both wrong, but mom (as usual) is more correct.  Instead of water use a fluid like a light mineral oil.  Air is very subject to air currents, light, and people.  You holding the thermometer will change the air temp.  Water or other fluids better approximate the average.  When you say room temperature, you are really talking about an average over a short period of time.  If you want an instantaneous temperature of the air where you are standing, you measure the air but the data will bounce much more.

Chemistry (including Biochemistry)

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Chemistry (non-biochemistry), environmental science, occupational health and safety, environmental regulation and management, environmental engineering, and wastewater engineering. I'm the Director of Environmental, Health, and Safety and the Director of Research at the Institute of Textile Technology.

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Chemistry (non-biochemistry), environmental science, occupational health and safety, environmental regulation and management, environmental engineering, and wastewater engineering. I'm the Director of Environmental, Health, and Safety and the Director of Research at the Institute of Textile Technology.

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PhD, MS, BS in Chemistry

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