What Do We Measure Temperature With?

In our previous article, “Heat or Temperature? The Two Concepts That Decode Cooling,” we understood the basics of what temperature is. In this article, we will take a closer look at the different units of measurement we use to answer the question “how hot is it?” and the stories behind these units. Let’s embark on a journey into the mysterious world of thermometers!

The Indispensable Part of Our Daily Lives: Celsius (°C)

In Turkey and many other countries around the world, the most commonly used unit for measuring temperature is Celsius. It is also often referred to as “degrees.” The Celsius scale was developed by the Swedish astronomer Anders Celsius in 1742.

The most distinctive feature of this scale is that it sets the freezing point of water at 0 °C and the boiling point of water at 100 °C. This is why it is sometimes called the “Celsius scale” or the “centigrade scale.” We frequently use Celsius in our daily lives when expressing air temperature, refrigerator settings, and body temperature.

America’s Choice: Fahrenheit (°F)

In the United States and a few Caribbean countries, the Fahrenheit scale is generally used for measuring temperature. This scale was proposed by the German physicist Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit in 1724.

On the Fahrenheit scale, the freezing point of water is set at 32 °F, and the boiling point of water is 212 °F. These values may seem a bit complicated at first glance. It is known that Fahrenheit used different reference points when creating this scale. For example, he used the freezing temperature of saltwater for the zero point and the body temperature of a healthy person (which he initially considered to be about 96 °F, a value later revised) as another reference point.

The Universal Language of Science: Kelvin (K)

In scientific studies, especially in fields like physics and chemistry, the Kelvin scale is generally preferred for expressing temperature. Kelvin is an absolute temperature scale defined by Lord Kelvin (William Thomson).

The most important feature of the Kelvin scale is that it references absolute zero. Absolute zero (0 K) is the theoretically lowest temperature at which the motion of atoms and molecules ceases, and it corresponds to approximately -273.15 °C.

One degree on the Kelvin scale has the same magnitude as one degree on the Celsius scale. That is, temperature differences are the same on both scales. To convert Celsius to Kelvin, 273.15 is added to the Celsius temperature:

K = °C + 273.15

Scientists prefer the Kelvin scale because it does not have negative temperature values and is more suitable for thermodynamic calculations.

Why Are There Different Scales?

The emergence of different temperature scales is mainly due to historical and cultural reasons. The Celsius and Fahrenheit scales were developed by different scientists at different times and using different reference points. Over time, these scales became widespread in the regions where they were developed.

The Kelvin scale, on the other hand, arose later out of scientific needs and has become a universal standard.

How to Convert Between Them?

It may sometimes be necessary to convert between different temperature units. Here are the most common conversion formulas:

• °C to °F: °F = (°C × 9/5) + 32
• °F to °C: °C = (°F - 32) × 5/9
• °C to K: K = °C + 273.15
• K to °C: °C = K - 273.15
• °F to K: K = (°F - 32) × 5/9 + 273.15
• K to °F: °F = (K - 273.15) × 9/5 + 32

I hope this article has provided you with an enjoyable journey into the interesting world of temperature measurement units. See you in our next article!