NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Chapter 7 Temperature and its Measurement

NCERT Intext Questions – Temperature and its Measurement (Class 6)

🤒 Q.1. Can it always be correctly judged that a person has fever, only by touching the person?

(Page No. 123)

Show Answer

Answer: No, we cannot always judge correctly if a person has fever just by touching them.

Our hand can only tell if the body feels warm or cool, but it cannot show the exact temperature.

To know correctly whether a person has fever, we must use a clinical thermometer. It gives an accurate reading of body temperature in degrees Celsius (°C).

📘 Example:
If a thermometer shows 38°C, the person has a fever because the normal body temperature is 37°C (98.6°F).

💡 Did You Know? 🌡️ Doctors always use thermometers, not touch, because body temperature can feel different depending on the room’s temperature or your own hand’s warmth!

👶🌡️ Q.2. Do small children generally have slightly higher body temperatures as compared to adults?

(Page No. 128)

Show Answer

Answer: Yes, small children usually have a slightly higher body temperature than adults.

This is because their body activities and metabolism are faster — they burn more energy, which produces more heat.

However, the difference is very small and still close to the normal temperature of 37°C (98.6°F).

📘 Example:
A healthy child may have a body temperature of about 37.2°C, while an adult’s temperature may be 36.8°C — both are normal.

💡 Did You Know? 🔥 Children’s bodies lose heat faster but also generate more heat due to higher activity levels — that’s why they often feel warmer to touch after playing!

👴🌡️ Q.3. Do old people, even when healthy, generally have lower body temperatures than young adults?

(Page No. 128)

Show Answer

Answer: Yes, old people generally have slightly lower body temperatures than young adults, even when they are healthy.

This happens because as people age, their metabolism slows down, and their bodies produce less heat.

Their blood circulation also becomes slower, which makes their skin and body temperature a little lower.

📘 Example:
• A healthy young adult may have a temperature of about 37°C (98.6°F).
• A healthy old person may have around 36.5°C (97.7°F) — which is still normal for their age.

💡 Did You Know? 🧓 Older people often feel colder even in normal weather because their bodies lose heat faster and generate less warmth than younger people!

🌡️ Q.4. Can a clinical thermometer be used for measuring the temperature of boiling water? Or for measuring the temperature of ice? (Page No. 129)

Show Answer

Answer: No, a clinical thermometer cannot be used to measure the temperature of boiling water or ice.

👉 This is because a clinical thermometer is designed only to measure body temperature, which ranges roughly from 35°C to 42°C.

Boiling water (100°C) and ice (0°C) are outside this range and can damage or break the thermometer.

📘 Example: If you dip a clinical thermometer into boiling water, the mercury may expand too much and burst the glass tube.

💡 Did You Know? 🔥 To measure such temperatures, scientists use laboratory thermometers or digital thermometers that have a wider range!

🧪 Q.5. How can we measure temperatures beyond the range of a clinical thermometer? (Page No. 129)

Show Answer

Answer: To measure temperatures beyond 42°C or below 35°C, we use a laboratory thermometer or other special thermometers.

👉 These thermometers have a wider range — usually from –10°C to 110°C — and are suitable for measuring the temperature of liquids, gases, or solids.

📘 Example:
• Boiling water → measured using a laboratory thermometer (range up to 110°C)
• Freezing mixture → also measured using the same thermometer

💡 Did You Know? 🧊 There are special digital and infrared thermometers that can measure temperatures from very low (–50°C) to very high (500°C or more) instantly!

Let us enhance our learning

🤒 Q.1. The normal temperature of a healthy human being is close to:

Show Answer

🌍 Q.2. 37°C is the same temperature as:

Show Answer

✏️ Q.3. Fill in the blanks:

Show Answer

(i) The hotness or coldness of a system is determined by its __________.
✅ Answer: Temperature

(ii) The temperature of ice-cold water cannot be measured by a __________ thermometer.
✅ Answer: Clinical

(iii) The unit of temperature is degree __________.
✅ Answer: Celsius

💡 Did You Know? 📏 There are three common temperature scales — Celsius (°C), Fahrenheit (°F), and Kelvin (K) — used in different countries and scientific fields.

🧪 Q.4. The range of a laboratory thermometer is usually:

Show Answer

(i) 10 °C to 100 °C

(ii) –10 °C to 110 °C

(iii) 32 °C to 45 °C

(iv) 35 °C to 42 °C

Answer: (ii) –10 °C to 110 °C

💡 Did You Know? 🔬 A laboratory thermometer is used for measuring the temperature of liquids and other substances — not the human body — because its range is much wider than a clinical thermometer (35°C–42°C).

🌡️ Q.5. Four students used a laboratory thermometer to measure the temperature of water as shown in the diagram below. Who do you think followed the correct way of measuring temperature?

Show Answer

Diagram of four students measuring temperature

(Diagram showing Students 1–4 using the thermometer)

(i) Student 1

(ii) Student 2

(iii) Student 3

(iv) Student 4

Answer: (iii) Student 3 followed the correct method for measuring temperature.

📘 Explanation:
A laboratory thermometer should be used correctly by following these steps 👇

1️⃣ The thermometer bulb should not touch the sides or bottom of the beaker.
2️⃣ It should be completely dipped in water so that the bulb is fully surrounded by the liquid.
3️⃣ The thermometer should be kept vertical (upright).
4️⃣ The temperature should be read at eye level.
👉 In the image, Student 3 followed all these steps correctly!

💡 Did You Know? If the thermometer bulb touches the bottom of the beaker, it may record a higher temperature because it also absorbs heat from the container, not just the liquid!

🌡️ Q.6. Colour the red column on the drawings of thermometers according to the temperatures written beside each thermometer. (14°C, 17°C, and 7.5°C)

Show Answer

(Thermometer diagram for students to color.)

Answer: To show the given temperatures, the red column (mercury level) in each thermometer should be colored up to the correct marking as follows 👇

1️⃣ For 14°C:
🟥 Colour the red column slightly above the 10°C mark — nearly halfway between 10°C and 15°C.

2️⃣ For 17°C:
🟥 Colour the red column a little above the 15°C mark, closer to 17°C on the scale.

3️⃣ For 7.5°C:
🟥 Colour the red column between the 5°C and 10°C marks, exactly at the middle.

📘 Explanation:
The red column in a thermometer shows the mercury level, which rises when temperature increases and falls when it decreases.
By coloring it correctly, you visually represent the measured temperature on each thermometer.

💡 Did You Know? 🌡️ In laboratory thermometers, mercury expands uniformly — meaning equal temperature changes cause equal height changes in the red column!

🌡️ Q.7. Observe the part of the thermometer shown in the diagram and answer the following questions:

Show Answer

(Thermometer image showing mercury level at 26°C.)

Answer:

(i) This is a laboratory thermometer 🧪. It is used to measure the temperature of liquids and other substances, not the human body.

(ii) The thermometer reading shown is 26°C 🌡️.
(The red column of mercury stops just below the 30°C mark.)

(iii) The smallest value this thermometer can measure is 1°C, because each small division on the scale represents one degree Celsius.

📘 Explanation:
A laboratory thermometer generally has a range of –10°C to 110°C, and each small marking represents 1°C.
The mercury level rises or falls depending on the temperature of the liquid it is placed in.

💡 Did You Know? 🧊 Laboratory thermometers are often used in science experiments to measure temperatures of boiling water, ice, or chemical reactions — but never for checking body temperature!

🧪🌡️ Q.8. A laboratory thermometer is not used to measure our body temperature. Give a reason.

Show Answer

Answer: A laboratory thermometer is not suitable for measuring body temperature because:

1️⃣ It has a wide range (–10°C to 110°C) which is much higher than the human body temperature range.

2️⃣ It does not have a kink (bend) in the tube, so the mercury level falls immediately when it is removed from the body.

Hence, it cannot record the correct body temperature.

📘 Example:
If we try to use a laboratory thermometer for a person’s body, the reading will change instantly as soon as we take it out — making it useless for medical use.

💡 Did You Know? 🌡️ A clinical thermometer has a small kink near the bulb that traps the mercury at the measured temperature — that’s why doctors use it to record your exact fever reading!

🤒 Q.9. Vaishnavi has not gone to school as she is ill. Her mother has kept a record of her body temperature for three days as shown in the table below 👇

Show Answer

Temperature at	7 am	10 am	1 pm	4 pm	7 pm	10 pm
Day 1	38.0°C	37.8°C	38.0°C	38.0°C	40.0°C	39.0°C
Day 2	38.6°C	38.8°C	39.0°C	39.0°C	39.0°C	38.0°C
Day 3	37.6°C	37.4°C	37.2°C	37.0°C	36.8°C	36.6°C

(Table: Body Temperature Record of Vaishnavi)

🔹 (i) Highest recorded temperature: 40.0°C

🔹 (ii) Day and time of highest temperature: Day 1 at 7 pm

🔹 (iii) Temperature returned to normal: Day 3 (around 37°C)

📘 Explanation:
• Normal body temperature = 37°C (98.6°F)
• On Days 1 and 2, her temperature was above 38°C → Fever 🤒
• On Day 3, it dropped below 37.6°C → Normal 😊

💡 Did You Know? 🌡️ The body temperature of a healthy person stays around 37°C, but it can vary slightly during the day — usually lower in the morning and slightly higher in the evening!

🌡️ Q.10. If you have to measure the temperature 22.5°C, which of the following three thermometers will you use? (Refer to diagram below 👇)

Show Answer

(Diagram showing three thermometers labeled a, b, and c.)

Answer: We will use thermometer (b) to measure 22.5°C.

📘 Explanation:

👉 Thermometer (a) can measure the smallest value of 1°C.

👉 Thermometer (c) can measure the smallest value of 2°C (its scale has wider gaps).

👉 Only thermometer (b) has markings for every 0.5°C, which allows it to measure 22.5°C accurately.

✅ Therefore, thermometer (b) is the most suitable for measuring 22.5°C.

💡 Did You Know? The least count of a thermometer is the smallest temperature difference it can measure.
🧪 Thermometers with smaller least counts (like 0.5°C or 0.1°C) give more accurate readings!

🌡️ Q.11. The temperature shown by the thermometer in the diagram is:

Show Answer

Thermometer showing mercury level between 25°C and 30°C

(Diagram showing thermometer reading at 27.5°C.)

(i) 28.0 °C

(ii) 27.5 °C

(iii) 26.5 °C

(iv) 25.3 °C

Answer: (ii) 27.5°C

📘 Explanation:

• The mercury level is exactly between 25°C and 30°C.
• Each small marking represents 0.5°C.
• Therefore, halfway between 25°C and 30°C = 27.5°C ✅

👉 So, the temperature shown is 27.5°C.

💡 Did You Know? 🌡️ Thermometers are marked with equal divisions between numbers — each small line shows a fixed temperature interval (often 0.5°C or 1°C).
That’s why careful observation is needed for an accurate reading!

🧪 Q.12. A laboratory thermometer has 50 divisions between 0°C and 100°C. What does each division of this thermometer measure?

Show Answer

Answer:

Total range = 100°C – 0°C = 100°C
Total divisions = 50

So,
👉 Value of each division = 100 ÷ 50 = 2°C

✅ Therefore, each division of this thermometer measures 2°C.

📘 Explanation:
Each small marking (division) on a thermometer scale represents a specific temperature difference.
Here, every 2°C rise or fall in temperature will move the mercury column by one division.

💡 Did You Know? 🌡️ Some thermometers have 100 divisions between 0°C and 100°C, where each division equals 1°C — these give more precise readings!

🌡️ Q.13. Draw the scale of a thermometer in which the smallest division reads 0.5°C. You may draw only the portion between 10°C and 20°C.

Show Answer

Thermometer scale between 10°C and 20°C with 0.5°C divisions

(Thermometer scale drawing showing 10°C–20°C with 0.5°C divisions.)

Answer:

To draw the thermometer scale 👇

1️⃣ Draw a vertical line (about 8–10 cm long).
2️⃣ Mark 10°C at the lower end and 20°C at the upper end.
3️⃣ Divide the space between 10°C and 20°C into 20 equal parts — because each division = 0.5°C.
4️⃣ Label every second line (10.5°C, 11°C, 11.5°C... up to 20°C).
5️⃣ Draw a red mercury column anywhere between two markings to show a temperature reading.

📘 Explanation:
• Difference between 10°C and 20°C = 10°C
• Each division = 0.5°C
• Number of divisions needed = 10 ÷ 0.5 = 20 divisions
✅ Therefore, between 10°C and 20°C, there should be 20 small markings, each representing 0.5°C.

💡 Did You Know? 🌡️ The smaller the value of each division, the more accurate the thermometer is.
For example, thermometers with 0.1°C divisions are used in scientific laboratories for precise experiments!

🤒 Q.14. Neha tells you that she has a fever of 101 degrees. Does she mean it on the Celsius scale or the Fahrenheit scale?

Show Answer

Answer: Neha means it on the Fahrenheit (°F) scale.

📘 Explanation:
• The normal body temperature of a healthy person is 98.6°F or 37°C.
• A temperature of 101°F is slightly higher than normal — showing that Neha has a fever.
• If it were 101°C, it would be extremely high and impossible for the human body to survive!
👉 Therefore, Neha’s 101 degrees refers to the Fahrenheit scale.

💡 Did You Know? 🌡️ Doctors in India often use the Fahrenheit scale to check body temperature, while scientists and laboratory thermometers usually use the Celsius (°C) scale!

🌡️ FAQs — Temperature & Its Measurement (Class 6)

1. What is temperature?

Temperature shows how hot or cold a body or substance is. It is measured in degrees Celsius (°C) using a thermometer.

2. What is the normal body temperature of a healthy person?

A healthy person’s normal body temperature is about 37°C (98.6°F). Small variations are normal through the day.

3. Clinical vs laboratory thermometer — what’s the difference?

Clinical thermometers measure human body temperature (≈35–42°C) and have a kink to trap mercury. Laboratory thermometers have a wider range (e.g., −10 to 110°C) and no kink.

4. Can you use a clinical thermometer for boiling water or ice?

No. Clinical thermometers are limited to body range and can break if used for extreme temperatures like 0°C or 100°C. Use a laboratory or digital thermometer instead.

5. What is the least count of a thermometer?

The least count is the smallest temperature difference the thermometer can show (for example, 0.5°C, 1°C, or 2°C). A smaller least count gives more precise readings.

6. How do you read a thermometer correctly?

Hold the thermometer vertically, ensure the bulb is fully in the liquid (or under the tongue for clinical use), and read the scale at eye level to avoid parallax error.

7. Why should the thermometer bulb not touch the beaker’s bottom?

Touching the bottom transfers heat from the container, not just the liquid, causing an incorrect (usually higher) reading.

8. How to measure temperatures needing half-degree accuracy (e.g., 22.5°C)?

Use a thermometer whose scale has a least count of 0.5°C or finer; otherwise you cannot reliably read 22.5°C.

9. What precautions should be taken while using thermometers at home?

Keep it clean, do not use a clinical thermometer for boiling liquids, avoid sudden temperature shocks, and store it safely to prevent breakage.

10. Why does body temperature vary during the day?

Body temperature follows a daily rhythm — typically lower in the morning and higher in the evening due to metabolic activity and physical activity levels.

📘 NCERT Intext Questions — Temperature and its Measurement (Class 6)

Let us enhance our learning

🌡️ FAQs — Temperature & Its Measurement (Class 6)

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Let us enhance our learning

📚 Explore More Class 6 Chapters (Questions and Answers)

🌡️ FAQs — Temperature & Its Measurement (Class 6)

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply