Sanitation Certification Practice Test

What is the proper adjustment for a thermometer using the Ice Point Method?

1. Adjust to 212°F

2. Adjust to 100°F

3. Adjust to 32°F

4. Adjust to 0°F

The correct answer is: Adjust to 32°F

Using the Ice Point Method to adjust a thermometer involves calibrating it to the freezing point of water, which is precisely 32°F. This method relies on the fact that water freezes at this temperature under standard atmospheric pressure. When adjusting a thermometer, immersing it in ice water allows you to ensure its accuracy at this critical point. If the thermometer reads a temperature different from 32°F while in ice water, it can be adjusted accordingly to match this standard. The other choices do not reflect the Ice Point Method, as the boiling point of water is 212°F, and while 100°F and 0°F have their own significance in various contexts, they aren't relevant adjustments for calibrating a thermometer using the Ice Point Method. Thus, calibrating to 32°F is essential for establishing a reliable baseline for temperature measurements in various applications.