Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Fahrenheit
degrees
Celsius
degrees
Kelvins
212
°
F
100
°
C
373 K
Boiling point
of water
200
360
180
80
160
340
140
60
120
320
40
100
98.6
°
F
37
°
C
310 K
Normal body
temperature
(c)
300
80
68
°
F
20
°
C
293 K
Room temperature
20
60
280
40
32
°
F
0
0
°
C
273 K
Freezing point
of water
20
260
0
-20
(d)
-20
240
-40
-40
(a)
(e)
(b)
Figure 5.4 Measures of temperature.
(a) The Fahrenheit, Celsius, and Kelvin temperature scales. The size of one degree on the Celsius
scale is the same as one kelvin; a degree on the Fahrenheit scale is smaller. (Note that units on the Kelvin scale are not called degrees,
but rather kelvins.) (b) Temperature is measured with a thermometer. Until recently, most thermometers were filled with alcohol or mercury,
which rose or fell within a glass tube if warmed or cooled, respectively. Today, most thermometers contain temperature-sensitive electrodes
