Final answer:
The unknown temperature corresponding to a thermometer reading of 40mmHg can be found by linear interpolation, assuming a linear scale. With the ice point at 30mmHg (0°C) and the steam point at 60mmHg (100°C), the temperature for the 40mmHg reading is approximately 33.33°C.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student is asked to find the unknown temperature that corresponds to a thermometer reading of 40mmHg. This question involves the concept that thermometers measure temperature by the expansion or contraction of a liquid in response to temperature changes. Since the thermometer indicates ice point at 30mmHg and steam point at 60mmHg, we can use a simple linear interpolation to find the unknown temperature. Assuming the scale of the thermometer is linear (which is the common case with mercury or alcohol thermometers), and taking the ice point (0°C) and steam point (100°C) as reference temperatures, the unknown temperature can be calculated using the following method:
- Calculate the range of the thermometer scale between the ice point and steam point: 60mmHg - 30mmHg = 30mmHg.
- Determine the value that 40mmHg represents on this scale: 40mmHg - 30mmHg = 10mmHg.
- Find what fraction this is of the total scale: 10mmHg / 30mmHg = 1/3.
- Apply this fraction to the temperature range between ice and steam points: 1/3 * 100°C = 33.33°C.
Therefore, the unknown temperature corresponding to a reading of 40mmHg is approximately 33.33°C.