How to Read a Thermometer
A thermometer
is an instrument
that is used to
measure
temperature.
The temperature tells us
how hot or cold something
is.
Temperature is
measured in degrees.
is the symbol for
degrees.
100
“100 Degrees”
Temperature
is measured
using two
scales:
Celsius and
Fahrenheit.
100
C
212
F
C
“C” is the symbol for the
Celsius scale.
The Fahrenheit scale is
the most popular in the
United States.
F
Its symbol is “F.”
The lines on most
thermometers are
marked every 10
degrees.
F
90
90
80
80
70
70
60
60
The lines inbetween are usually
counted by twos. However, you
will always want to check to see if
this is true for the thermometer
you are reading.
F
90
80
Here is how we check:
Choose one of the marked lines
and begin counting by twos until
you get to the next marked line. If
the number you say matches the
number on the marked line then
you know the lines on the
thermometer are counted by
twos.
70
60
80
78
76
74
72
70
Let’s try to read the temperature on
this thermometer. We have already
checked to make sure the
thermometer lines are counted by
twos.
F
90
80
The red liquid is past the 80
degree line but has not reached
the 90 degree line.
We start counting at the
80 degree line and we
count by twos.
The temperature on this
thermometer is 82 F.
70
60
82
80
Let’s try another one. We have already
checked to make sure the
thermometer lines are counted by
twos.
F
50
40
The red liquid is past the 40
degree line but has not reached
the 50 degree line.
We start counting at the
40 degree line and we
count by twos.
The temperature on this
thermometer is 48 F.
30
20
48
46
44
42
40
Let’s try one more. We have already
checked to make sure the
thermometer lines are counted by
twos.
F
40
30
The red liquid is past the 10
degree line but has not reached
the 20 degree line.
We start counting at the
10 degree line and we
count by twos.
The temperature on this
thermometer is 16 F.
20
10
16
14
12
10
So what do we do if we discover the
lines are not counted by twos?
F
25
We must figure out what the lines
are counted by…
Hint: Try counting by
ones and then fives.
Remember to start at one of the
marked lines and count to the
next marked line.
The lines on this thermometer are
counted by ones.
20
15
10
15
14
13
12
11
10
Let’s try to read the temperature on
this thermometer. We have already
checked and have found the lines are
counted by ones.
The red liquid is past the 20
degree line but has not reached
the 25 degree line.
We start counting at the 20
degree line and we count by ones.
The temperature on this
thermometer is 22 F.
F
25
20
15
10
22
21
20
Now let’s see if you can read
some thermometers on your
own.
GOOD LUCK!