alleryStart learning →A thermistor used in a digital medical thermometer is which of these?
AA semiconductor crystal that senses temperature
BA metal alloy wire that sets a fixed standard
CAn insulating sheet that blocks stray current
DA carbon rod that limits the inrush current
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: A. A semiconductor crystal that senses temperature
1. Many thermometers work by turning a temperature reading into a resistance reading.
2. A thermistor is a semiconductor crystal whose resistance depends strongly on temperature.
3. Measuring that resistance therefore gives the temperature directly.
4. The device is small, so it reaches thermal equilibrium quickly with whatever it touches.
5. A metal alloy with a near-zero coefficient is the opposite design goal, since it is chosen not to respond.
_Source: OpenStax College Physics (CC BY 4.0), Ch 20 "Electric Current, Resistance, and Ohm's Law", section Temperature Variation of Resistance_
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