Question

Mercury is often used in clinical thermometers. Which properties of the mercury is not a reason for this?
1) Coefficient of the thermal expansion is large
2) It is shiny
3) It is liquid at room temperature
4) It has high density

Answer 1

Hint:Mercury is a metal which has properties like It is liquid at room temperature, shiny appearance, has a high boiling point, high coefficient of expansion, only metal liquid at room temperature.

Complete step by step solution:
Let’s look at all the options given in the question and with explanation we can easily make out which property of mercury is not suitable for making a clinical thermometer.
Coefficient of thermal expansion is large, it means that slight change in temperature is notable when it is used in a thermometer.

It is shiny, which makes mercury easily visible in a clinical thermometer and it is opaque also therefore, used in thermometers made up of glass, then temperature can be detected comfortably.

It is liquid at room temperature, as we have already read that mercury is the only metal which is liquid at room temperature and hence it can be used in a thermometer as it shows movement on slight variation of temperature.
High density, means it has more mass for the same volume of water contained in a jar.

From the above explanation we can make out that answer 4 is the correct option.

Note: Mercury easily forms alloys called amalgam with other metals such as gold, silver and tin. These amalgamated products are used in scientific research, dental restoration, fluorescent lightning, used in thermistors, barometers etc.