Question

A mercury thermometer is placed under a patient's tongue. Which sequence correctly describes what happens before a reading is taken?

Options

• Heat flows from the thermometer to the body

• Heat flows from the body to thermometer until the temperatures become equal

• Both are already at the same temperature

• Heat keeps flowing forever

Answer 1

Heat flows from the body to the thermometer until the temperatures become equal

Explanation:

Heat flows from the warmer body to the cooler thermometer until thermal equilibrium is reached.