A thermometer is an instrument that measures the temperature. Temperature is measured in a scale called Fahrenheit (by most people in the United States) and in Celsius or Centigrade (used by scientists and by people in many other countries). The point where water freezes is 32 degrees Fahrenheit (F for short) and 0 degrees Celsius (C). The point where water boils is 212 degrees F and 100 degrees C. If you want to know how to convert from F to C or from C to F.
Some scientific thermometers use the Kelvin scale, where 0 Kelvin is called absolute zero - a place where there is no movement of any parts of matter, where substances have no thermal energy. It's about minus 273.15 degrees C (below 0° C) or 459.67 degrees below 0° F. Scientists have never been able to measure anything at absolute zero, though they have gotten very close.
Thermometers help us know what the weather will be like. If it will be 90°F outside, we're not going to put on a winter coat. Or if it's below zero, we won't be wearing shorts. Here's a way to show how a simple thermometer works.
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Pour equal parts of tap water and rubbing alcohol into the bottle, filling about 1/8 to a 1/4 of the bottle.
Add a couple of drops of food coloring and mix.
Put the straw in the bottle, but don't let the straw touch the bottom (DO NOT DRINK THE MIXTURE).
Use the modeling clay to seal the neck of the bottle, so the straw stays in place.
Now hold your hands on the bottle and watch what happens to the mixture in the bottle.
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