Mercury and mercury-containing devices have historically been used in laboratories and shops to measure temperature, pressure, liquid density, and humidity. Other common sources of mercury include ...

Mercury can be found in a variety of non-laboratory items such as fluorescent light bulbs, thermometers, older pressure gauges, plumbing traps, manometers, barometer, thermostats, capacitors, and ...

The thermometer has a small bulb filled with either mercury (in older thermometers) or alcohol (in modern ones). When the temperature rises, the liquid expands and moves up the narrow tube.