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WAEC Physics 2011 Theory — Question 19

Question 19 of 39 from the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) Physics 2011 Theory paper, with the correct answer and a full explanation.

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12(a)(ii) When the bulb of a thermometer is placed in a beaker of hot water, the level of the mercury first falls and then rises gradually. Explain this observation.

Model answer

This is because the glass of the bulb first expands (since it is in contact with the hot water first) and hence the mercury level falls. But the expansion of the mercury increases more than that of the glass, so at a point the mercury level rises.

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