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Item AM042005: When a glass thermometer is placed in hot water, the level of liquid rises because the molecules get farther apart.

A glass thermometer has a colored liquid inside it. The level of colored liquid rises when the thermometer is placed in hot water.  Why does the level of liquid rise?

  1. Water molecules are pushed into the thermometer.
  2. Heat molecules push the molecules of the liquid upward.
  3. Heat causes the molecules of the liquid to get farther apart.
  4. The molecules of the liquid break down into atoms and take up more space.
Distribution of responses
Answer Choice
Overall
Grades
Gender
Primary Language
 
n = 3814
6–8
n = 2699
9–12
n = 1107
Male
n = 1854
Female
n = 1919
English
n = 3428
Other
n = 354
A. Water molecules are pushed into the thermometer. 8% 8% 7% 8% 8% 7% 17%
B. Heat molecules push the molecules of the liquid upward. 39% 44% 27% 37% 41% 39% 38%
C. Heat causes the molecules of the liquid to get farther apart. 45% 39% 58% 47% 43% 46% 33%
D. The molecules of the liquid break down into atoms and take up more space. 9% 9% 8% 8% 9% 8% 12%