When a liquid thermometer is held in direct sunlight,

It will accurately measure the air temperature
It will measure a much higher temperature than that of the air
It will measure a much lower temperature than that of the air
It will measure the temperature of the sun rather than the air

The correct answer is: B. It will measure a much higher temperature than that of the air.

When a liquid thermometer is held in direct sunlight, the liquid inside the thermometer will be heated by the sun’s rays. This will cause the liquid to expand and rise up the thermometer, giving a reading that is higher than the actual air temperature.

Option A is incorrect because the thermometer will not accurately measure the air temperature. The liquid inside the thermometer will be heated by the sun’s rays, causing it to expand and rise up the thermometer. This will give a reading that is higher than the actual air temperature.

Option C is incorrect because the thermometer will not measure a much lower temperature than that of the air. The liquid inside the thermometer will be heated by the sun’s rays, causing it to expand and rise up the thermometer. This will give a reading that is higher than the actual air temperature.

Option D is incorrect because the thermometer will not measure the temperature of the sun rather than the air. The thermometer is designed to measure the temperature of the air, and it will do so accurately as long as it is not exposed to direct sunlight.