Grade 6 · Science · Unit 2 of 8
Measuring Temperature
Thermometers and the Celsius scale
What your child practises
Degrees Celsius, the freezing and boiling points of water, everyday temperatures, how a liquid thermometer works by expansion and contraction, and safe handling.
Alberta Curriculum learning outcome: 6M 1.2 · how liquid thermometers work, the Celsius scale and safe measuring
Sample questions
A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.
Question 1
Why do many thermometers have a scale printed beside the tube?
- To weigh the liquid
- To measure the volume of the room
- To read the temperature from the height of the liquid
Show answer
To read the temperature from the height of the liquid
Hint: Each mark stands for a degree.
Question 2
Which is closest to a very hot summer day in Alberta?
- 30 °C
- 5 °C
- 60 °C
Show answer
30 °C
Hint: Hot days are often around 30 °C.
Question 3
At what temperature does water freeze or ice melt?
- 0 °C
- 100 °C
- 20 °C
Show answer
0 °C
Hint: The Celsius scale is based on water.
Question 4
A thermometer in a glass of ice water reads 0 °C. What does this tell you?
- The water is at its freezing point
- The water is boiling
- There is no water
Show answer
The water is at its freezing point
Hint: 0 °C is the freezing point of water.
Question 5
A cold winter day in Calgary might be −20 °C. Is this above or below the freezing point of water?
- Above
- Exactly the same
- Below
Show answer
Below
Hint: Negative degrees Celsius are below 0 °C.
Question 6
Temperature is related to…
- the colour of the object
- how fast the particles are moving
- the object's shape
Show answer
how fast the particles are moving
Hint: Faster particles mean a higher temperature.