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Heat and its Measurement - Concepts of Hot and Cold

Grade 7CBSE

Review the key concepts, formulae, and examples before starting your quiz.

🔑Concepts

Heat is a form of energy that flows from a body at a higher temperature to a body at a lower temperature. It is measured in Joules (JJ) or Calories (calcal).

Temperature is the degree of hotness or coldness of an object. It is a reliable measure of the thermal state of a body.

The human sense of touch is subjective and unreliable for measuring temperature. For example, lukewarm water can feel 'hot' to a cold hand but 'cold' to a hot hand.

A Thermometer is a device used to measure temperature. The two most common types are the Clinical Thermometer and the Laboratory Thermometer.

The Clinical Thermometer is designed to measure human body temperature. It has a range of 35C35^\circ C to 42C42^\circ C. It contains a 'kink' (constriction) near the bulb to prevent the mercury level from falling immediately after it is removed from the mouth.

The Laboratory Thermometer is used for measuring temperatures in science experiments. Its range is typically from 10C-10^\circ C to 110C110^\circ C. It does not have a kink, so readings must be taken while it is in contact with the substance.

Normal human body temperature is approximately 37C37^\circ C, which is equivalent to 98.6F98.6^\circ F.

The SISI unit of temperature is Kelvin (KK). Other commonly used scales are Celsius (C^\circ C) and Fahrenheit (F^\circ F).

📐Formulae

F=(95×C)+32F = \left( \frac{9}{5} \times C \right) + 32

C=59×(F32)C = \frac{5}{9} \times (F - 32)

K=C+273.15K = C + 273.15

💡Examples

Problem 1:

A patient's body temperature is recorded as 39C39^\circ C. Convert this temperature into the Fahrenheit scale.

Solution:

F=(95×39)+32=70.2+32=102.2FF = \left( \frac{9}{5} \times 39 \right) + 32 = 70.2 + 32 = 102.2^\circ F

Explanation:

To convert Celsius to Fahrenheit, we multiply the temperature in Celsius by 95\frac{9}{5} and then add 3232. Since 39C39^\circ C is above the normal 37C37^\circ C, the patient has a fever.

Problem 2:

If a liquid is at a temperature of 313.15K313.15\, K, what is its temperature in degrees Celsius?

Solution:

C=K273.15=313.15273.15=40CC = K - 273.15 = 313.15 - 273.15 = 40^\circ C

Explanation:

The Kelvin scale is converted to Celsius by subtracting 273.15273.15 from the Kelvin value.

Problem 3:

Why is a Clinical Thermometer jerked before use?

Solution:

The jerk is given to force the mercury level back below the 35C35^\circ C mark.

Explanation:

Because of the 'kink', mercury does not fall back into the bulb on its own. Jerking the thermometer ensures that the reading starts from a point lower than the body temperature for an accurate measurement.