How To Make A Galilean Thermometer

The Galilean thermometer was invented by Galileo Galilei (1564-1642). It operates on the principle that matter becomes more dense as it cools and less dense as it heats up. Specifically, liquids (such as water) are affected more by temperature change than solids. You can use this same principle to make your own Galilean thermometer at home.

Step 1

Fill the measuring bowl half full of water and write down the current volume measurement. Fill one of the watertight film canisters with sand. Place it in the bowl and check the new volume measurement. The volume of the film canister is the new volume minus the original volume. Record the volume of the canister for later.

Step 2

Use the water density chart (see Resources section) to find the density of water at 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85 and 90 degrees F. Find the mass required to achieve each density, given the volume of the film canister recorded in Step 1.

Step 3

Mark each one of the film canisters with one of the degree values, 45 to 90. Use the scale to measure the mass of the film canisters and to determine how much sand should be added to each film canister until it weighs exactly enough to achieve the density of its respective temperature value.

Step 4

Fill the glass vase with water and put all of the film canisters in it, with the lowest-marked temperatures at the bottom.

Step 5

Use your thermometer by placing it in the area where you want to measure the temperature. Once the canisters have stabilized, the temperature of the air is the temperature marked on whichever canister is floating in the middle of the vase. If there is no canister in the middle, use the lowest temperature from the canisters at the top of the vase.