Recording thermometer
Encyclopedia
A recording thermometer is a type of thermometer
that records temperature
changes over a period of time.
The recording thermometer uses a strip that coils and uncoils as the temperature changes. One end of the strip is attached to a long, light metal
lever that holds a special pen. Tiny movement of the bimetallic strip causes much larger movement of the free end of the lever and the pen. The pen traces a rising and falling line on a strip of paper attached to a slowly turning drum. The drum usually makes one turn every seven or so days, so afterwards each strip of paper contains a complete and accurate record of temperature changes for a whole week. There are normally two types of metal on the bimetallic strip. Mostly one is steel and one is copper. Due to the different rates of expansion, the strip curves. When it curves, the data is converted into electric signals, which record the temperature change.
Thermometer
Developed during the 16th and 17th centuries, a thermometer is a device that measures temperature or temperature gradient using a variety of different principles. A thermometer has two important elements: the temperature sensor Developed during the 16th and 17th centuries, a thermometer (from the...
that records temperature
Temperature
Temperature is a physical property of matter that quantitatively expresses the common notions of hot and cold. Objects of low temperature are cold, while various degrees of higher temperatures are referred to as warm or hot...
changes over a period of time.
The recording thermometer uses a strip that coils and uncoils as the temperature changes. One end of the strip is attached to a long, light metal
Light metal
Light metals are metals of low atomic weight. The cut off between light metals and heavy metals varies. Lithium, beryllium, sodium, magnesium and aluminium are almost always included. Additional metals up to nickel are often included as well. Metals heavier than nickel are usually called heavy...
lever that holds a special pen. Tiny movement of the bimetallic strip causes much larger movement of the free end of the lever and the pen. The pen traces a rising and falling line on a strip of paper attached to a slowly turning drum. The drum usually makes one turn every seven or so days, so afterwards each strip of paper contains a complete and accurate record of temperature changes for a whole week. There are normally two types of metal on the bimetallic strip. Mostly one is steel and one is copper. Due to the different rates of expansion, the strip curves. When it curves, the data is converted into electric signals, which record the temperature change.