Olympiad Test: Temperature & its Measurement - 2 - Class 6 MCQ

In ancient India, the most common method to detect fever was by checking pulse rate. This practice involved feeling the pulse to assess the body's condition, which provided insights into the presence of fever and other ailments.

Explanation of Incorrect Options

• Checking breathing rate: Although breathing patterns can indicate health issues, they were not primarily used as a method to detect fever in ancient times.
• Checking sweating: Sweating may occur with fever, but it was not a reliable standalone method for diagnosis.
• Checking skin colour: While changes in skin colour can be associated with various conditions, this method was not specifically used to diagnose fever in ancient India.

Explanation of Correct Answer

The laboratory thermometer is specifically designed for measuring the temperature of liquids and gases in scientific experiments. It typically has a wider range and is more accurate than other types of thermometers used in clinical settings.

Explanation of Incorrect Options

• Clinical thermometer: This type is primarily used for measuring body temperature and is not suitable for scientific experiments involving liquids and gases.
• Infrared thermometer: While useful for measuring surface temperatures without contact, it is not designed for accurate temperature readings in liquids or gases.
• Digital thermometer: Although versatile, digital thermometers may not be specifically calibrated for laboratory conditions as accurately as laboratory thermometers.

Laboratory thermometers typically use mercury or alcohol as the liquid for measuring temperature due to their consistent expansion properties over a wide range of temperatures.

Explanation of Correct Answer

The correct answer is B. Mercury and alcohol. Mercury is often used because it expands uniformly and has a high boiling point, making it effective for measuring high temperatures. Alcohol, particularly coloured alcohol, is used for lower temperature measurements as it remains liquid at lower temperatures than mercury.

Explanation of Incorrect Options

• A. Water and oil: While water is a common liquid, it is not used in thermometers because it does not expand uniformly and can freeze at low temperatures. Oil is also not suitable due to its viscosity.
• C. Kerosene and petrol: These liquids are not used in thermometers as they have high volatility and do not provide accurate temperature readings.
• D. Saltwater and glycerine: Saltwater is not used due to the potential for freezing and corrosion, and glycerine is not used because it does not have the necessary thermal expansion properties for accurate temperature measurement.

The correct answer is Red. Alcohol used in thermometers is typically dyed red for better visibility against the scale of the thermometer.

Explanation of Incorrect Options

• Green: While green dye exists, it is not commonly used in alcohol thermometers.
• Yellow: Yellow is not a standard dye for alcohol in thermometers, as it may not provide sufficient contrast for accurate readings.
• Blue: Blue is also not a usual dye for alcohol in thermometers and can be difficult to see against certain scales.

A laboratory thermometer is used to measure temperatures in scientific experiments. Its typical temperature range is –10°C to 110°C, allowing it to measure both below and above normal room temperature. This makes it suitable for various laboratory applications where precision is needed.

The correct precaution when using a laboratory thermometer is to keep it upright while reading. This ensures that the reading is accurate and not influenced by the angle of the thermometer.

Explanation of Incorrect Options

• Shake it before use: Shaking a thermometer is not a recommended practice, especially for liquid-in-glass thermometers, as it may damage the thermometer or cause inaccurate readings.
• Hold it by the bulb: Holding a thermometer by the bulb can lead to inaccurate readings due to heat from your hand affecting the mercury or the liquid inside.
• Place it in direct sunlight: This can cause the thermometer to give a false reading, as direct sunlight may heat the thermometer and not reflect the actual temperature of the substance being measured.

Water boils at 100 °C and freezes at 0 °C on the Celsius scale. Therefore, the correct answer is option C.

Explanation of Incorrect Options

• Option A: Incorrect because it states that water boils at 0 °C and freezes at 100 °C, which is the reverse of the actual temperatures.
• Option B: Incorrect as it claims water boils at 50 °C, which is not accurate.
• Option D: Incorrect because it provides temperatures in Kelvin; while the conversions are incorrect, the boiling point of water in Kelvin is actually 373 K, and freezing is 273 K.

The normal human body temperature is typically around 98.6 °F.

Explanation of Correct Answer

Option B is the correct answer because it represents the average normal body temperature, which is widely accepted in the medical community.

Explanation of Incorrect Options

• Option A (37.0 °F) is incorrect. While 37.0 °C is normal body temperature in Celsius, it converts to approximately 98.6 °F, which is not listed correctly in this case.
• Option C (100 °F) is incorrect as this temperature is considered a low-grade fever, not the normal human body temperature.
• Option D (120 °F) is incorrect; this temperature is dangerously high and indicative of severe hyperthermia or heat stroke.

Explanation of Correct Answer

The correct answer is Anna Mani. She was a pioneering meteorologist and made significant contributions to the field of meteorology in India, earning her the title of the "Weather Woman of India."

Explanation of Incorrect Options

• Kalpana Chawla: Although she was an accomplished astronaut and engineer, she is not associated with meteorology.
• Sunita Williams: She is a renowned astronaut and has made significant achievements in space exploration, but she is not known for contributions to meteorology.
• Indira Gandhi: The former Prime Minister of India, she had no direct connection to meteorology or weather forecasting.

Explanation of Correct Answer

The correct answer is Thermometer. A thermometer is specifically designed to measure air temperature, making it the most common instrument used at weather stations.

Explanation of Incorrect Options

• Barometer: Measures atmospheric pressure, not temperature.
• Hygrometer: Measures humidity levels in the air, not temperature.
• Anemometer: Measures wind speed, not air temperature.