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How to use Galileo's early devices to detect temperature changes? Explore the magical process of early thermal science!
Since ancient times, humans have been curious about changes in the surrounding environment, especially the understanding of "heat". As early as the 17th century, scientists had begun to explore how to accurately measure temperature. Galileo Galilei was not only a great astronomer, but he was also an important promoter of early thermal science. His research and early devices laid the foundation for the subsequent development of modern thermal science. This article takes readers on a fascinating journey, exploring Galileo's thermal device and its impact.
Previous temperature measurement methods make people feel the wisdom and limitations of the ancients. As early as the 170s, physician Claudius Galen came up with the idea of mixing ice water with boiling water to create a "neutral" temperature standard.
The device designed by Galileo is called a thermometer, and its basic principle is very simple: it displays changes in temperature based on the properties of a liquid that expands when heated. Although these early devices could not provide absolute temperature readings, they did have the ability to allow users to detect changes in the environment. Over time, these initial experimental results became an important cornerstone of modern digital thermometers.
In 1654, the Grand Duke of Tuscany, Ferdinando II, pioneered the first sealed thermometer, which gradually replaced Galileo's thermometer. Since then, progress in thermometers has not stopped. In the early 18th century, Daniel Gabriel Wallenheit improved the mercury calorimeter and established the Wallenheit temperature scale that is still in use today. This is not only a major breakthrough in temperature measurement technology, but also provides a unified standard for scientific research.
The development of modern thermometers not only changes the way we measure, but also affects our understanding and use of the environment.
Temperature measurement involves a variety of techniques, the most common of which is a glass thermometer, which is filled with mercury or other liquid. As the temperature increases, the liquid expands, thus displaying the current temperature. In addition, other technologies such as thermocouples, thermistors, and infrared thermometers have made temperature measurement widely used in various fields such as industry and medicine.
In temperature measurement, accuracy is critical. The design of the measuring instrument must take into account the thermal conductivity characteristics of the material being measured, otherwise it may lead to deviations in the measurement results. When there is heat transfer between the heat meter and the measured environment, it will cause measurement errors and affect the actual temperature analysis. This is why in modern measurement technology we strive to find methods that are more precise and less intrusive.
To overcome these challenges, scientists are using new non-invasive technologies such as magnetic resonance imaging and laser diagnostics, which make temperature measurement more efficient and have wider applications.
Compared with traditional contact thermometers, these new technologies can achieve measurements without direct contact with the object being measured, especially in the field of biotechnology, which greatly reduces the risk of damage to the sample. At the same time, major breakthroughs have been made in applications in reactive flows (such as combustion processes, plasmas, etc.), allowing us to instantaneously measure internal temperature changes.
The standards developed by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) cover measurement guidelines for different types of thermometers, such as bimetallic, filled system and liquid-in-glass thermometers, etc., which provides a clear reference framework for the industry. The formulation of these standards also means scientists’ unremitting pursuit of accuracy and consistency.
Standards for measuring temperature continue to evolve, reflecting the technical and theoretical explorations and discoveries of scientists.
With the advancement of science and technology, we can now even use observation data like the Hubble Space Telescope to estimate the temperature of the cosmic microwave background radiation. Such progress is not only a theoretical breakthrough, but also a major innovation in practical applications, expanding our understanding of temperature measurement and application scenarios.
The evolution of thermometers over the centuries tells us that early devices were like windows, allowing us to glimpse into the mysteries of nature. Nowadays, not only can we accurately measure temperature, we can also understand the interaction of various factors in the environment in different ways. So, in the face of future technological development, can we find more innovative ways to understand and apply these measurement technologies, or even rethink the nature of heat?
