Temperature Scale

Temperature can be expressed using a temperature scale, which allows us to measure and quantify how hot or cold something is.

• Celsius Scale: degrees Celsius

The Celsius scale is used in the vast majority of countries around the world. The creator of this scale was Anders Celsius, a Swedish scientist and astronomer. This scale was also known as the “centigrade scale” until 1948. This was because this scale divides the temperature into 100 degrees, 0º C being the freezing point of water, and 100º C being the point at which it boils.

During winter we often see temperatures below 0, and the scale might show temperatures between -2 and -10 degrees Celsius. On the other hand, the temperatures increase in spring and summer, and thermometers show temperatures higher than 10 degrees Celsius.

• Fahrenheit scale: degrees Fahrenheit

As we’ve seen, the Fahrenheit scale is the accepted form of measuring temperature in the US and some Caribbean countries. Its creator was called Daniel Fahrenheit, and he was a well-known German physicist and engineer. Unlike the Celsius scale, this scale puts the freezing point of water at 32º F while its boiling point is 212º F.

Therefore, when it’s very cold during the winter in the United States, the thermometers might show temperatures between 28 and 14 degrees Fahrenheit (-2º and -10º Celsius). Meanwhile, during spring and summer, average temperatures are between 50 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit (10º and 20º Celsius). This doesn’t mean that temperatures are higher or lower when measured on this type of scale, it just means that the same temperature is represented using different numbers.

• Temperature conversion formulas are defined as the conversion formulas for changing the value of temperature from one unit to another. They are various distinct temperature conversion methods. Kelvin, Celsius, and Fahrenheit are the most commonly used scales for temperature measurement. Here are the temperature conversion formulas:

• Celsius to Kelvin: K = C + 273.15
• Kelvin to Celcius: C = K - 273.15
• Fahrenheit to Celcius: C = (F-32) (5/9)
• Celsius to Fahrenheit: F = C(9/5) + 32
• Fahrenheit to Kelvin: K = (F-32) (5/9) + 273.15
• Kelvin to Fahrenheit: F = (K-273.15) (9/5) + 32