Galileo Thermometer Gold Tag - 28cm

A lovely, decorative piece to measure the temperature using physics.

Inspired by Galileo, it was created in 1603 by a group of scientists in Florence. The Galileo thermometer uses complex theories of physics to indicate the temperature.

The 28cm tall glass cylinder is filled with a clear liquid and contains six brightly coloured glass vessels. As temperatures change, the glass vessels rise and fall. With each 2 degree Celsius rise in the temperature, one vessel will fall. Each vessel has a small engraved disc attached, which displays the temperature reading.

Age: 11+

What You Get

Galileo Thermometer. Includes a 28cm Galileo thermometer with 6 glass balls and gold tags attached, allowing you to measure temperatures from 18 degrees to 28 degrees Celcius.

How Does it Work?

Galileo thermometers measure temperature by showing the effect of temperature changes on density. As the temperature rises, the liquid in the cylinder changes, which in turn affects the density of the liquid. Each of the glass vessels differs very slightly in density, so as the surrounding liquid becomes less dense as the temperature rises, the glass vessels become relatively more dense, and then sink. In order to determine the temperature, an engraved disc is attached to each glass vessel, so it can easily be determined. If a disc is floating halfway down the cylinder, the temperature reading is close to the number on the disc. If there is a gap between the glass vessels, the temperature is between the two vessels either side of the gap.

Teach

• Density
• Buoyancy
• Thermodynamics

WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD Small Parts. Not for children under 3 years.