Final answer:
Infrared thermometers or pyrometers measure temperature without touching an object's surface by detecting its emitted infrared radiation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of temperature measurement that can read temperature without touching the item's surface is achieved through an infrared thermometer or pyrometer. Unlike traditional mercury or alcohol thermometers, which require physical contact with the substance being measured, infrared thermometers work by detecting the infrared radiation emitted by an object. The amount of infrared radiation emitted by an object increases with its temperature, allowing the pyrometer to provide a temperature readout quickly and without needing to make contact.