A mercury thermometer measures temperature by measuring the...

A mercury thermometer measures temperature by measuring the volume expansion of a fixed mass of liquid mercury due to a change in density (see Problem 1.91 ). Find the relative change $(\%)$ in volume for a change in temperature from $10^{\circ} \mathrm{C}$ to $20^{\circ} \mathrm{C}$.

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Key Concepts

Thermal Expansion

Thermal expansion is the property of materials to change in volume or dimensions when subjected to a change in temperature. This concept is fundamental in understanding how substances like liquids, solids, and gases respond to heat by expanding, making it crucial in applications such as thermometry.

Coefficient of Volumetric Thermal Expansion

The coefficient of volumetric thermal expansion, typically denoted as ?, defines the fractional change in volume per unit change in temperature. It serves as a proportional constant in predicting how much a material's volume will increase or decrease when its temperature changes.

Relative Change Calculation

The relative change in volume is expressed as the ratio of the change in volume to the original volume, often converted into a percentage. This concept is key for quantifying the impact of thermal expansion over a given temperature range, enabling comparisons and measurements in practical applications like mercury thermometers.

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