A Non-Mercury Thermometer Alternative for Use in Older Melting Point Apparatuses

Lois K. Ongley , Clayton S. Kern and Barry W. Woods
Unity College, Unity, ME 04988
J. Chem. Educ., 2008, 85 (9), p 1263
DOI: 10.1021/ed085p1263
Publication Date (Web): September 1, 2008
History, Education, and Documentation

Abstract

The State of Maine seeks to eliminate most mercury use. This includes removing mercury thermometers from secondary schools and discouraging Hg use in other educational institutions. Alternatives to mercury thermometers in chemical laboratory work include non-mercury thermometers, temperature probes, and thermocouples. In organic chemistry mercury thermometers are commonly used in melting temperature apparatuses such as Mel-Temp instruments. The melting point temperatures of six organic compounds measured with a calibrated thermocouple were not statistically different from published melting points. Lab-calibrated thermocouples are statistically accurate and economically reasonable substitute for mercury thermometers to measure the melting point temperature for organic compounds in older Mel-Temp devices.

Keywords (Audience):

First-Year Undergraduate / General

Keywords (Domain):

Laboratory Instruction

Keywords (Feature):

Cost-Effective Teacher

Keywords (Pedagogy):

Hands-On Learning / Manipulatives

Keywords (Subject):

Calibration
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  • Received: August 03, 2009

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