Definition:Degree of Temperature
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Definition
A degree is a subdivision of a scale of measurement of temperature.
Degree Celsius
Celsius is a temperature scale.
Its two reference points are:
- $0 \cels$, which is set at the melting point of water.
- $100 \cels$, which is set at the boiling point of water, as defined at sea level and standard atmospheric pressure.
A temperature measured in Celsius is often referred to as so many degrees Celsius.
| \(\ds \) | \(\) | \(\ds 1\) | degree Celsius | |||||||||||
| \(\ds \) | \(=\) | \(\ds 1 \cdotp 8\) | degrees Fahrenheit |
Degree Fahrenheit
Fahrenheit is a temperature scale.
Its two reference points are:
- $32 \fahr$, which is set at the melting point of water.
- $212 \fahr$, which is set at the boiling point of water, as defined at sea level and standard atmospheric pressure.
A temperature measured in Fahrenheit is often referred to as so many degrees Fahrenheit.
| \(\ds \) | \(\) | \(\ds T \fahr\) | Temperature in Fahrenheit | |||||||||||
| \(\ds \) | \(=\) | \(\ds T \cels \times \dfrac 9 5 + 32\) | Temperature in Celsius |
Degree Kelvin
The kelvin is the SI base unit of absolute temperature.
Its two reference points are:
- $0 \ \mathrm K$, which is set at absolute zero, the temperature at which all thermal motion stops
- $273 \cdotp 16 \ \mathrm K$, which is set at the triple point of water ($0.01 \cels$)
| \(\ds \) | \(\) | \(\ds T \, \mathrm K\) | Temperature in Kelvin | |||||||||||
| \(\ds \) | \(=\) | \(\ds T \cels + 273 \cdotp 15\) | Temperature in Celsius |
Degree Rankine
The Rankine is a unit of absolute temperature.
Its two reference points are:
- $0 \rankine$, which is set at absolute zero, the temperature at which all thermal motion stops
- $491 \cdotp 67 \rankine$, which is set at the triple point of water.
| \(\ds \) | \(\) | \(\ds T \rankine\) | Temperature in Rankine | |||||||||||
| \(\ds \) | \(=\) | \(\ds T \fahr + 459 \cdotp 67\) | Temperature in Fahrenheit |
Sources
- 1998: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): degree: 7.
- 2008: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (4th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): degree: 7.