Suppose that a standard remote reading bourdon tube thermometer has a scale of 40 to 240°F. If the accuracy of the thermometer is plus or minus 1% of the span, what would the range of measured temperature be if the thermometer indicates 180°F?
• Span of a thermometer scale (difference between maximum and minimum values) • How to calculate percentage of span and convert it into degrees Fahrenheit • Understanding that an accuracy of ±1% gives you a range around the indicated value
• First, find the numerical value of 1% of the thermometer’s total span in degrees Fahrenheit. What is the span from 40°F to 240°F? • Once you know how many degrees 1% of the span is, apply that amount above and below the indicated 180°F reading. • Compare your calculated upper and lower limits with the answer choices, paying attention to any rounding that might be involved.
• Confirm the span is max scale minus min scale (not the indicated reading). • Verify that the ±1% is applied as degrees of temperature, not as 1% of 180°F. • Check that the final range you calculate matches one of the choices including decimal places.
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