Question

why can alcohol also be used in thermometers

Answer 1

There’s several of reason for using alcohol. First of all mercury is toxic. Secondly mercury freezes at -38C, so if you want to measure a lower temperature it’s no good. Most alcohol freezes around -100C. (That’s pure alcohol, alcoholic drinks freeze at at much higher temperature) There’s also cost. mercury is far more expensive than alcohol. This is not just the cost of buying it. Because it’s so toxic there are stringent regulations on how it’s handled.

Hope helps

Answer 2

Its freezing point is below -100°C and hence, can record verly low temperature. Its expansion per degree centigrade rise in temperature is very Large and hence, very sensitive thermometer can be made with it. It can be coloured brightly and hence, is easily visible.