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Path: utzoo!linus!meister
From: meister@linus.UUCP (Phillip W. Servita)
Newsgroups: net.puzzle
Subject: Re: Thermometer Puzzle
Message-ID: <618@linus.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 24-Oct-85 11:17:53 EDT
Article-I.D.: linus.618
Posted: Thu Oct 24 11:17:53 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 25-Oct-85 07:44:46 EDT
References: <24@pixel.UUCP>
Reply-To: meister@linus.UUCP (Phillip W. Servita)
Organization: The MITRE Corporation, Bedford, MA
Lines: 23

In article <24@pixel.UUCP> vsh@pixel.UUCP (vsh) writes:
>Here's an old puzzler from my high school science days, but which may
>tantalize a few of you:
>
>When an ordinary mercury thermometer at room temperature is inserted
>into a beaker of boiling water, the mercury actually descends a
>small but noticeable amount before ascending to the 100 C level.
>Why?

The glass must conduct the heat to the mercury inside. Hence the cylindrical
hole inside expands before the mercury does. 

                                         -the venn buddhist


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