The sensitivity of a thermometer refers to how quickly and accurately it responds to changes in temperature. A high sensitivity thermometer will provide a quick and precise reading with even slight variations in temperature, while a low sensitivity thermometer may be slower to reflect changes in temperature.
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Sensitivity of a thermometer is calculated by dividing the change in temperature measured by the thermometer by the change in the actual temperature. This gives a measure of how accurately the thermometer can detect small changes in temperature.
The sensitivity of a thermometer depends on the scale or division of measurement on its display. Thermometers with smaller divisions or scales have higher sensitivity as they can detect smaller changes in temperature. Additionally, the design and materials of the thermometer can also impact its sensitivity.
The sensitivity of a thermometer can be increased by using a finer scale or increasing the resolution of the measurement gradations. Using a material with a higher thermal expansion coefficient may also improve sensitivity. Additionally, reducing the heat capacitance of the thermometer can make it more responsive to temperature changes.
Low sensitivity of a thermometer means that the thermometer is not able to detect small changes in temperature accurately. This can result in less precise temperature readings and a reduced ability to differentiate between slight temperature variations.
The sensitivity of a mercury thermometer is affected by its length and bore. A longer thermometer will respond more slowly to temperature changes due to the increased mercury column length, while a wider bore allows for more mercury movement and can increase sensitivity to small temperature changes.