I found a good website to answer your question. The main point is be careful and avoid the Mercury vapors. Mercury is poisonous and can easily be spread.
http://www.state.nj.us/health/eoh/survweb/merchome.pdf
To clean up a broken mercury thermometer, carefully sweep up the glass and mercury using gloves and paper towels. Place the broken pieces in a sealed plastic bag, and open windows to ventilate the area. Contact your local waste management facility for proper disposal instructions.
Mercury in glass thermometers pose a greater health hazard if broken, as mercury is a toxic substance that can be harmful if inhaled or ingested. Alcohol in glass thermometers are considered less hazardous as alcohol is not as toxic as mercury. It is still important to clean up any broken thermometer carefully to avoid injury.
It is unlikely that the amount of mercury in a single thermometer would be enough to significantly contaminate the air in a typical classroom. However, it is important to properly clean up and dispose of any spilled mercury to prevent exposure to harmful levels. If there is a spill, follow appropriate cleanup protocols and ensure proper ventilation in the area.
The mercury in a thermometer rises because of thermal expansion. When the temperature surrounding the thermometer increases, the molecules of the mercury expand, causing it to move up the narrow tube of the thermometer.
If a mercury thermometer breaks and you come into direct contact with the mercury, it is important to clean it up carefully. Do not touch the mercury with bare hands and do not use a vacuum cleaner. Wear gloves and use a paper towel to carefully clean up the mercury, then dispose of it properly according to local hazardous waste regulations. It is important to minimize exposure to mercury as it is toxic when ingested or inhaled.
Mercury rises in a thermometer when the temperature increases because mercury expands as it heats up. This expansion of the mercury column inside the thermometer is used to measure the temperature of the surrounding environment.
Breaking a mercury thermometer can be harmful as mercury is toxic. It is important to clean it up carefully using gloves and avoid touching the mercury with bare hands. If mercury is ingested, inhaled, or comes into contact with skin, it can lead to health issues, so it's best to contact a professional for cleanup.
In a mercury thermometer, the mercury expands when it is heated, causing it to rise in the thermometer's narrow tube. This increase in volume is a physical property of mercury known as thermal expansion. The height of the mercury column in the thermometer is then used to measure the temperature.
If a thermometer containing mercury breaks, it is important to carefully clean up the spilled mercury to prevent exposure. Avoid touching the mercury with bare hands and use gloves to carefully collect the spilled beads. Ventilate the area well and dispose of the mercury properly as hazardous waste. Consider seeking professional help for cleanup if unsure of how to proceed.
Change in temperature is what cause the Mercury to expand up (hotter) or shrink down (colder).
A broken fluorescent lamp can release mercury vapor, which is a toxic chemical that can contaminate the surrounding environment. It is important to carefully clean up and dispose of broken fluorescent lamps to prevent exposure to mercury.
You should avoid touching the mercury with your skin. Use a stiff card to scoop all beads into a paper towel and place them in a ziplock bag. Check the area with a flash light to be sure that you found them all. The ziplock bag can go into the garbage.