Temperature tells how hot or cold — Physical education, 7–10 years
A thermometer gives a number for hotness or coldness, so we can compare and control conditions more carefully than by touch alone.
Idea
Temperature is a number that tells how hot or cold something is. A thermometer measures it using a scale, often degrees Celsius. A higher number means hotter and a lower number means colder, but the number is not the same as the amount of heat stored in an object.
Why
Touch can tell us that one thing feels warmer, but it cannot give a dependable number. Your hand can also be fooled after touching something cold or hot. Thermometers were made so people could compare weather, illness and cooking conditions using measurements instead of guesses.
Worked example
A thermometer in a glass of water reads 18 °C. After the glass stands in a warm room, it reads 24 °C. First compare the readings: 24 is higher than 18, so the water became warmer. Then find the change: 24 − 18 = 6 °C.
Common trap
People often trust their hand more than a thermometer. That seems sensible because skin detects warmth directly, but it compares with your hand’s recent history, not with a fixed scale. Touch can make the same object feel different, so use a thermometer for a number.
In the world
Weather reports use temperature to help people choose clothes and plan activities. Doctors measure body temperature because a change can be a useful sign of illness. Cooks check oven and food temperatures so meals are prepared properly and safely.
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