Before first law of thermodynamics, there is zeroth law of thermodynamics. The thermometer works on the principle of zeroth law of thermodynamics. Can you explain what is a zeroth law of thermodynamics? Solution Zeroth law states that Objects into contact will reach a thermal equilibrium (and heat transfers from hotter to colder), this means one can use a device that can measure this difference of this quantity as follows: We have a device (called a thermometer) which has an indication. When the \"thermometer device\" comes into contact with another object, 0th law states that they wil reach thermal equilibrium . Then the indication of the device will change to reflect the difference of this quantity that changed or transfered and refered to as temperature . One such device is the thermometer based on mercury (which is used as the indicator due to its special heat expansion factor)..