Temperature can be measured using different scales, each applied in specific areas of science, industry, and everyday life. The four most well-known temperature scales are:
- Celsius (°C)
- Fahrenheit (°F)
- Kelvin (K)
- Rankine (°R or °Ra)
Below, you will learn what each scale is used for and how to convert between them in a simple way.
1. Celsius Scale (°C)
This is the scale used in most parts of the world. It is based on the freezing point of water (0 °C) and its boiling point (100 °C) at sea level.
2. Fahrenheit Scale (°F)
Widely used in the United States. On this scale:
- Water freezes at 32 °F
- Water boils at 212 °F
3. Kelvin Scale (K)
This is the official scientific temperature scale. It starts at absolute zero (0 K), the lowest possible temperature.
The Kelvin scale does not use the degree symbol (°).
Important relation:
0 °C = 273.15 K
4. Rankine Scale (°R or °Ra)
Primarily used in engineering in the United States.
It is similar to the Kelvin scale but uses degree increments equivalent to Fahrenheit.
Important relation:
0 °R corresponds to absolute zero (0 K).
✅ CONVERSION FORMULAS BETWEEN SCALES
°C → °F:
°F = °C × 1.8 + 32
°F → °C:
°C = (°F − 32) × 0.5556
°C → K:
K = °C + 273.15
K → °C:
°C = K − 273.15
°F → °R:
°R = °F + 459.67
°R → °F:
°F = °R − 459.67
K → °R:
°R = K × 1.8
°R → K:
K = °R × 0.5556
°C → °R:
°R = (°C + 273.15) × 1.8
°R → °C:
°C = (°R × 0.5556) − 273.15
°F → K:
K = (°F − 32) × 0.5556 + 273.15
K → °F:
°F = (K − 273.15) × 1.8 + 32
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