TEMPERATURE

INSTRUMENTS
Lecture no. 4

Contents

Temperature scales

Fahrenheit & Celsius Temperature Scale

Kelvin & Rankine Temperature Scale
The Reaumur Scale

Methods of Temperature Measurement

Temperature

Introduction:

Temperature of a substance is the measure of the

hotness or coldness of that substance.
It is the thermal state of the body or a substance
which determines whether it will give heat to, or
receive heat from, other bodies.
If two bodies are placed in contact then heat tends to
flow from a body at a higher temperature to a body
at a lower temperature.

Heat & Temperature:

Temperature is taken to be Degree of Heat

and
Heat is taken to be the Quantity of energy flow
due to temperature

Conventional Temperature
Scales

Introduction

Based upon some recognized fixed points

a)
b)
c)

Fahrenheit & Celsius Temperature Scale

Kelvin & Rankine Temperature Scale
The Reaumur Scale

At least two fixed points are required which are

constant in temperature and can be easily reproduced
i.
Lower fixed point (ice point)
ii. Upper fixed point (steam point)

Cont. . .
Lower Fixed Point (Ice Point):
The temperature of ice, prepared form distilled water,
when melting under a pressure of 760 mm of mercury.
i.

ii.

Upper Fixed Point (Steam Point):

The temperature of steam from pure distilled water,
boiling under a pressure of 760 mm of mercury.
The boiling point of water varies greatly with the
applied pressure. Thus it is very important to note the
pressure at which the water is boiling.

Fundamental Interval:

The temperature interval between the ice point and

steam point is known as the fundamental Interval.
To graduate the thermometer between upper and
lower fixed points, the fundamental interval is divided
into a number of equal intervals.

Melting point: 32 F
Boiling point: 212 F
The fundamental interval is
divided into 180 equal
divisions.

Melting point: 0 C
Boiling point at 100 C.
The fundamental interval is
divided into 100 equal divisions.

Relation between C & F:

32
=
100
180

The ice point is 273.15 K and steam point is

373.15 K.
The fundamental interval is divided into 100
equal divisions.
Kelvin Temperature can be converted to celsius
temperature by:

= + 273.15

Ice point: 491.7 R

Steam point: 671.7 R
The fundamental interval is
divided into 180 equal
divisions.

Rankine temperature can be converted to

Fahrenheit temperature by:
= + 459.69

Abbreviated as Re
The ice point is 0 Re and the steam point is
80 Re.
Mostly used in Europe, particularly France and
Germany.
= 5 4

Methods of Temperature Measurement

Electrical temperature
instruments
1.

2.
3.

Resistance temperature
detectors (RTD)
Thermocouples
Thermistors

Expansion thermometers
Liquid in glass thermometers
Filled system thermometers

1.
2.
1.

2.
3.
4.

Pyrometers
1.
2.

Radiation
Optical

3.

Liquid Filled
Vapor pressure
Gas Filled
Mercury Filled

Bimetallic thermometers