Degree (temperature)
The term degree is used in several scales of temperature. The symbol ° is usually used, followed by the initial letter of the unit, for example “°C” for degree(s) Celsius. A degree can be defined as a set change in temperature measured against a given scale, for example, one degree celsius is one hundredth of the temperature change between water melting and water boiling.
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[edit] Scales of temperature measured in degrees
Common scales of temperature measured in degrees:
- Celsius (°C)
- Kelvin (K), which uses the Celsius scale, adjusted so that 0 kelvins is equal to absolute zero.
- Fahrenheit (°F)
- Rankine (°R or °Ra), which uses the Fahrenheit scale, adjusted so that 0 degrees Rankine is equal to absolute zero.
Other scales of temperature:
[edit] Kelvin
The degree Kelvin (°K) is a former name for the SI unit of temperature on the thermodynamic (absolute) temperature scale. Since 1967 it has been known simply as the kelvin, with symbol K. Degree absolute (°A) is obsolete terminology, often referring specifically to the kelvin but sometimes the degree Rankine as well.[1]
[edit] Comparisons
- Boiling point of water: 100.0 °C / 212.0 °F
- Melting point of ice: 0.0 °C / 32.0 °F
- Typical human body temperature: 37.0 °C / 98.6 °F
- Room temperature: the 20 - 25 °C / 68 - 77 °F
(source[2])
[edit] Temperature conversions
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ "Unit of thermodynamic temperature (kelvin) (SI brochure, Section 2.1.1.5)". International Bureau of Weights and Measures. http://www.bipm.org/en/si/si_brochure/chapter2/2-1/kelvin.html. Retrieved 2009-02-10.
- ^ "Metric system temperature (kelvin and degree Celsius)". Colorado State University - Lamar. http://lamar.colostate.edu/~hillger/temps.htm. Retrieved 2009-02-10.
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