Water is not used as a therometric liquid mainly because of:
Correct answer: C. Does not expand linearly
- A. Colorless
- B. Is a bad conductor
- C. Does not expand linearly
- D. Has a low boiling point of 100oC
Explanation
The correct answer is that water does not expand linearly. Water's anomalous expansion, particularly its contraction from 0°C to 4°C and subsequent expansion, leads to non-linear behavior that renders it unsuitable as a thermometric liquid. An accurate thermometer requires a liquid that expands uniformly with temperature changes. While its boiling and freezing points limit its range, these are not the fundamental reasons for its unsuitability, as demonstrated by other liquids used in thermometers for specific temperature ranges.
This question appeared on the ETEA MDCAT 2005 paper, which you can sit online with every answer explained.
Report an error
The more specific you are, the faster it gets fixed. A source beats an opinion.
Prefer email? [email protected]
About Anomalous Behaviour of Water
Water expands when cooled below 4°C and when it freezes, giving liquid water its maximum density at 4°C. The explanation depends on hydrogen bonding and the open structure of ice, which makes ice less dense than water and allows it to float.
Practise Liquids
350 free Liquids MCQs from Chemistry, each with the correct answer and an explanation. Unlimited attempts, no account needed.
Discussion
Stuck on an option, or know a faster way to get there? Ask or explain it here.
No comments yet. Be the first to explain this one.
Exams that ask Chemistry questions like this
Chemistry is on 14 papers prepared for on TestUstad, and all of them draw the same bank, so this question is worth knowing for every one of them.