My Answer
a i ) B will be more sensitive . A bigger bulb will contain more mercury , with the same increase in temperature , more mercury will expand more ,thus there will be a bigger rise up the stem for the same increase of temperature and giving a clearer reading , hence be more sensitive .
b i ) B will be more sensitive . The volume of mercury in both thermometers will increase by the same amount , but as B have a fine bore thus a bigger rise up the stem and give a cleaner reading , hence be more sensitive .
a ii ) A will be more responsive . As there is less mercury , less time is needed to heat up to the same temperature as the surrounding , thus it is more quick acting and is more responsive .
b ii ) They are of the same responsiveness because the size of the capillary bore does not effect the transfer of thermal energy .
a iii ) A will have a larger range . For the same increase in temperature , there will be a less increase in mercury as there is less mercury in the smaller bulb . For the same length of the stem , the range will thus become larger .
b iii ) A will have a larger range . The mercury will expand the same but in the wider bore the rise in stem is smaller , thus more reading can be calibrated on its stem , hence the range become larger .
