Name: Jivan Raghoo

Date: 02/02/2012

Title: Calibrating a resistance thermometer

Aim: To calibrate a resistance thermometer and use it to measure the melting temperature

of a substance.

Apparatus and Materials:

Boiling tube with hot liquid L

Beakers (2)

Ice

Water

Retort stand

Thermistor

Voltmeter

Ammeter

Power source

Wires

Stop-watch

Bunsen burner
Name: Jivan Raghoo
Diagram:

Figure 1 showing the setup of apparatus.

Theory:

In this experiment a thermistor is calibrated and used to determine the melting

temperature of an unknown substance.

A thermistor is a thermally sensitive resistor whose prime function is to exhibit a precise

change in electrical resistance when subjected to a corresponding change in temperature.

Keeping this in mind, one can infer the temperature of the environment or object in

thermal contact with the thermistor by measuring the resistance of the thermistor.

To calibrate a thermometer we must define a temperature scale. To do this we must have:

Name: Jivan Raghoo
1. A thermometric property (a property which varies continuously with temperature

in a measurable way, in this case the resistance across the substance being tested.)

2. Choosing fixed points (established points whose temperatures are known and

constant, in this case the boiling and melting points of water.)

The fundamental interval (the difference between the upper fixed point and lower fixed

point) is then established and the following formula applied:

X X 0
x 100
X 100 X 0

Where,

is the temperature to be found.

X 100 is the value determined by the thermistor for the upper fixed point.

X 0 is the value determined by the thermistor for the lower fixed point.

X is the reading found on thermistor which must be changed to a standard

temperature
Name: Jivan Raghoo

Method:

1. The circuit was set up as shown in the diagram.

2. The thermistor was immersed in a beaker of melting ice.
3. The values of the potential difference, V, across the thermistor and current, I, in

the circuit were recorded when the ammeter reading became steady.
4. These readings were used to calculate a value for the resistance, R, of the

thermistor.
5. The thermistor was then immersed in a beaker of warm water which was heated

until it boils.
6. The new values of V and I were recorded once the readings became steady.
7. The source of heating was turned off and the thermistor was removed from the hot

water.
8. The new values of V and I were used to calculate a new value of R.
9. The thermistor was immersed in the hot liquid L and the values of V and I were

measured and recorded.

10. The stop watch was started
11. The values of V and I were measured and recorded every 30 second until the

liquid in the boiling tube completely solidified.

12. The values of V and I from step 11 were used to calculate the values of R at each

time, t.

Variables:

Manipulated: Temperature
Name: Jivan Raghoo
Responding: Resistance

Results:

Table 1 showing the values of voltage and current recorded and the resistance exacted

using the formula V=IR with the thermistor in melting ice and in boiling water.

In melting ice In boiling water

Voltage/ V 4.24 2.70
Current/ A 3.70 x 10-3 4.70 x 10-2
Resistance/ (using V=IR) 1.15 x 103 5.74 x 101

Table 2 showing the values of voltage and current recorded and resistance exacted using

the formula V=IR with the thermistor in liquid L.

Time/s Voltage/V Amperes/mA Resistance/

30 3.66 28.1 2
1.30 x 10
60 3.69 27.7 2
1.33 x 10
90 3.72 27.3 2
1.36 x 10
120 3.74 27.0 2
1.38 x 10
150 3.76 26.5 2
1.42 x 10
180 3.79 25.7 2
1.47 x 10
210 3.81 24.9 2
1.53 x 10
240 3.83 23.9 2
1.60 x 10
270 3.87 23.2 2
1.67 x 10
300 3.90 22.6 2
1.73 x 10
330 3.92 22.0 1.78 x 102
360 3.95 21.4 2
1.85 x 10
390 3.96 20.9 2
1.89 x 10
420 3.98 20.4 2
1.95 x 10
Name: Jivan Raghoo
450 3.99 20.0 2
2.00 x 10
480 4.00 19.8 2
2.02 x 10
510 4.00 19.7 2
2.03 x 10
540 4.00 19.6 2
2.04 x 10
570 4.01 19.6 2
2.05 x 10
600 4.01 19.5 2
2.06 x 10
630 4.02 19.4 2
2.07 x 10
660 4.02 19.4 2
2.07 x 10
690 4.02 19.3 2
2.08 x 10
720 4.02 19.3 2
2.08 x 10
750 4.02 19.2 2
2.09 x 10
780 4.02 19.2 2
2.09 x 10
810 4.02 19.2 2
2.09 x 10
840 4.02 19.1 2
2.10 x 10
870 4.02 19.1 2
2.10 x 10
900 4.02 19.0 2
2.12 x 10
930 4.02 19.0 2
2.12 x 10
960 4.02 19.0 2
2.12 x 10
990 4.02 19.0 2
2.12 x 10
1020 4.02 19.0 2
2.12 x 10
1050 4.02 18.9 2
2.13 x 10
1080 4.02 18.8 2
2.14 x 10
1110 4.02 18.7 2
2.15 x 10
1140 4.02 18.6 2
2.16 x 10
1170 4.02 18.6 2
2.16 x 10
1200 4.02 18.6 2
2.16 x 10
1230 4.02 18.5 2
2.17 x 10
1260 4.03 18.5 2
2.18 x 10
1290 4.03 18.4 2
2.19 x 10
1320 4.03 18.4 2
2.19 x 10
Name: Jivan Raghoo
1350 4.03 18.3 2.20 x 102
1380 4.04 18.3 2.21 x 102
1410 4.04 18.2 2.22 x 102
1440 4.04 18.2 2.22 x 102
1470 4.05 18.1 2.24 x 102
1500 4.06 18.0 2.26 x 102

Treatment of results:

X X 0
= X 100 X 0 x 100

2121150
= 57.41150 x 100

= 85.9 C

Precautions:

1 All windows were closed to avoid error caused by external conditions.

2 It was ensured that the thermistor did not touch sides of test tube.

Sources of error:
Name: Jivan Raghoo
1 Error may have occurred as readings on voltmeter and ammeter were fluctuating

while recording.

Conclusion:

The melting temperature of liquid L was found to be 85.9 C.