Background: A thermometer is a device used to measure temperature. It is placed in contact with an object and allowed to reach thermal equilibrium with the object (they will have the same temperature). The operation of a thermometer is based on some property, such as volume, that varies with temperature. The most common thermometers contain liquid mercury, or some other liquid, inside a sealed glass tube. The liquid expands and contracts faster than the glass tube. Therefore, when the temperature of the thermometer increases, the liquid volume expands faster than the glass volume, allowing the liquid to rise in the tube. The positions of the liquid in the tube can then be calibrated for accurate temperature readings. Other properties that change with temperature can also be used to make thermometers; liquid crystal colors and electrical conductivity change with temperature, and are also relatively common thermometers.

Situation: A group of middle school students is measuring the temperature of various liquids for a chemistry lab using a mercury thermometer. They have a beaker of boiling water, a beaker of ice water, and a beaker of water at room temperature.

Question: If the students move the thermometer from the room temperature water into the ice water will the mercury level go up or down?
Answer: down

Situation: A group of middle school students is measuring the temperature of various liquids for a chemistry lab using a mercury thermometer. They have a beaker of boiling water, a beaker of ice water, and a beaker of water at room temperature.

Question: If the students move the thermometer from the room temperature water into the boiling water water will the mercury level go up or down?
Answer: up

Situation: A group of middle school students is measuring the temperature of various liquids for a chemistry lab using a mercury thermometer. They have a beaker of boiling water, a beaker of ice water, and a beaker of water at room temperature.

Question: If the students move the thermometer from the boiling water to the room temperature water will the mercury level rise or fall?
Answer: fall

Situation: A group of middle school students is measuring the temperature of various liquids for a chemistry lab using a mercury thermometer. They have a beaker of boiling water, a beaker of ice water, and a beaker of water at room temperature.

Question: If the students move the thermometer from the ice water to the room temperature water will the mercury level rise or fall?
Answer: rise

Situation: A group of middle school students is measuring the temperature of various liquids for a chemistry lab using a mercury thermometer. They have a beaker of boiling water, a beaker of ice water, and a beaker of water at room temperature.

Question: If the students move the thermometer from one beaker to another and the mercury levels rise, is the temperature higher or lower?
Answer: higher

Situation: A group of middle school students is measuring the temperature of various liquids for a chemistry lab using a mercury thermometer. They have a beaker of boiling water, a beaker of ice water, and a beaker of water at room temperature.

Question: If the students move the thermometer from one beaker to another and the mercury levels fall, is the temperature higher or lower?
Answer: lower

Situation: A group of middle school students is measuring the temperature of various liquids for a chemistry lab using a mercury thermometer. They have a beaker of boiling water, a beaker of ice water, and a beaker of water at room temperature.

Question: If the students have recorded a rise in temperature did the mercury in the thermometer expand or contract?
Answer: expand

Situation: A group of middle school students is measuring the temperature of various liquids for a chemistry lab using a mercury thermometer. They have a beaker of boiling water, a beaker of ice water, and a beaker of water at room temperature.

Question: If the students have recorded a decrease in temperature did the mercury in the thermometer expand or contract?
Answer: contract

Situation: A group of middle school students is measuring the temperature of various liquids for a chemistry lab using a mercury thermometer. They have a beaker of boiling water, a beaker of ice water, and a beaker of water at room temperature.

Question: If the mercury in the thermometer expanded did the students record a higher or lower temperature?
Answer: higher

Situation: A group of middle school students is measuring the temperature of various liquids for a chemistry lab using a mercury thermometer. They have a beaker of boiling water, a beaker of ice water, and a beaker of water at room temperature.

Question: If the mercury in the thermometer contracted did the students record a higher or lower temperature?
Answer: lower