Science Common Sense
919 - How do weather instruments like thermometers and barometers work?
Imagine having tools to predict the weather. There are two main tools we use: thermometers and barometers.
Thermometer: A thermometer measures the temperature. Inside the thermometer, there's a special liquid that expands or shrinks when it's hot or cold. This liquid moves up or down the thermometer, which makes the numbers on the side show us the temperature.
Barometer: A barometer measures air pressure. There are two kinds of barometers:
- Mercury Barometer: This type of barometer has a glass tube with a small amount of mercury (a liquid metal) inside it. When air pressure changes, the mercury goes up or down the tube.
- Aneroid Barometer: This type has a metal box that expands or shrinks when air pressure changes. This movement makes a needle on the barometer move to show the air pressure.
These tools help predict the weather by tracking temperature and air pressure changes. They're useful for knowing if it's going to be sunny or rainy outside.