ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Liquid crystal thermometer

A liquid crystal thermometer is a special kind of thermometer that uses something called "liquid crystals" to measure temperature. Liquid crystals are kind of like a cross between a liquid and a solid - they can flow like a liquid, but they also have some characteristics of a solid.

The thermometer has a strip or a patch that contains liquid crystals that are sensitive to temperature changes. When the temperature changes, the liquid crystals in the strip move around and change color. This color change lets you know what the temperature of the object, like your body, is.

For example, if you place the strip on your forehead, the liquid crystals will react to your body's heat and change color. The darker the color, the hotter your forehead is. The thermometer usually has a scale or instructions that tell you what the different colors mean.

So, using a liquid crystal thermometer is like having a magic strip that changes color and tells you how hot or cold something is. It's a cool way to measure temperature that's easy and fun to use!