About Temperature Scales
Temperature Scales
Temperature is a measure of thermal energy. Three major scales are used worldwide: Celsius (°C), Fahrenheit (°F), and Kelvin (K). Each has different zero points and unit sizes, but all measure the same physical quantity.
Celsius (°C)
The Celsius scale sets 0°C at the freezing point of water and 100°C at the boiling point (at standard atmospheric pressure). It is the most widely used scale globally and is part of the SI system. Most countries use Celsius for everyday temperature measurements.
Fahrenheit (°F)
The Fahrenheit scale is primarily used in the United States. Water freezes at 32°F and boils at 212°F. The conversion formula is °F = °C x 9/5 + 32. Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit defined his scale in 1724.
Kelvin (K)
The Kelvin scale is the SI base unit for temperature. It starts at absolute zero (0 K = -273.15°C), the theoretical point where all molecular motion stops. Kelvin uses the same unit size as Celsius, making conversion simple: K = °C + 273.15.