溫度計知多少？ How Do Different Thermometers Measure Up?

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它記錄了一個人的「熱信號」

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文章主講 Bruce, Angela, Wesley

If you’ve entered a bank, post office, or airport in the past year, you’ve probably had your temperature taken. It probably wasn’t with the traditional glass, liquid-filled thermometer many older folks are familiar with. Instead, these days, one’s temperature can be taken by relatively new devices that are accurate, easy to use, and non-invasive. What are these temperature-taking devices and how do they operate?

如果過去這一年你曾去過銀行、郵局或是機場，你大概都有被量體溫。量體溫時用的可能不是許多老一輩的人所熟悉的傳統式液體填充玻璃溫度計。這年頭，反而是用相對較新、精準、容易使用且非侵入性的儀器來量體溫。這些量體溫的儀器是什麼，而它們又是如何運作的呢？

One such device is known as an infrared thermometer. It may be held close to, but won’t touch, a person’s forehead. The infrared thermometer provides a digital readout of the person’s temperature. It contains a lens that focuses heat energy onto a detector called a thermopile. This heat is turned into electricity, which is then transmitted to another detector for measurement. The more electricity emitted by a target, the hotter the person or object is. Basically, infrared thermometers are heat detectors, recording a person’s “heat signature.”

其中一個這樣的儀器被稱作紅外線溫度計。它可能會靠近、但不會觸碰到受測者的額頭。紅外線溫度計會提供某人體溫的數字讀數。它含有一個透鏡，該透鏡能將熱能聚焦到一個被稱為熱電堆的檢測器。這股熱會被轉為電，接著被傳到另一個檢測器測量。目標散發的電愈多，該人或物的溫度就愈高。基本上，紅外線溫度計就是熱檢測器，它記錄了一個人的「熱信號」。

An infrared sensor may also be used. This is a much larger device that can measure temperature from a distance of several meters. A person’s image can be seen on a screen that is similar to a television set. This infrared machine not only measures a person’s temperature but also displays it. The highest temperatures detected appear as bright red, while lower temperatures usually show up as orange or yellow. These machines can handle several people at a time, which is ideal for large buildings and major transportation hubs, like airports and subway stations.

紅外線感測器也可能被使用。這是一種尺寸大得多的儀器，可以在數公尺外的距離測量體溫。人的影像會顯示在一個近似於電視的螢幕上。這種紅外線機器不僅能測量一個人的體溫，還能將溫度顯示出來。該機器檢測到的最高溫度會呈現亮紅色，較低的溫度通常會顯現成橙色或黃色。這些機器可以同時測量數人的體溫，對於大型建築及像是機場及地鐵站等主要交通樞紐是非常合適的。

Both the infrared thermometer and the infrared sensor are non-invasive, detecting and measuring infrared light frequency—the temperature of any object they focus on. These devices are helping medical professionals identify and then treat people showing signs of a fever. 

紅外線溫度計及紅外線感測器都是非侵入性的儀器，它們偵測及測量紅外線的頻率 ―― 也就是這些儀器所聚焦的任何物體溫度。這些設備可幫助醫療專業人員識別然後治療有發燒跡象的人。

 

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