CalcunautTemperature Conversion
Temperature Converter
Convert Temperatures
Convert between different temperature scales
Table of Contents
Interactive Temperature Explorer
Interactive Temperature Explorer
Adjust the slider to see how temperature changes across different scales
Temperature Conversion Formulas
Temperature Conversion Formulas
Use these formulas to convert between different temperature scales
Celsius (°C) Conversions:
- °F = (°C × 9/5) + 32
- K = °C + 273.15
- °R = (°C + 273.15) × 9/5
- °Ré = °C × 4/5
Fahrenheit (°F) Conversions:
- °C = (°F - 32) × 5/9
- K = (°F + 459.67) × 5/9
- °R = °F + 459.67
- °Ré = (°F - 32) × 4/9
Kelvin (K) Conversions:
- °C = K - 273.15
- °F = (K × 9/5) - 459.67
- °R = K × 1.8
- °Ré = (K - 273.15) × 4/5
Rankine (°R) Conversions:
- °C = (°R - 491.67) × 5/9
- °F = °R - 459.67
- K = °R × 5/9
- °Ré = (°R - 491.67) × 4/9
Réaumur (°Ré) Conversions:
- °C = °Ré × 5/4
- °F = (°Ré × 9/4) + 32
- K = (°Ré × 5/4) + 273.15
- °R = (°Ré × 9/4) + 491.67
Temperature Chart
Temperature Facts
The lowest temperature theoretically possible is absolute zero, which is -273.15°C or -459.67°F.
The coldest temperature ever recorded on Earth was -89.2°C (-128.6°F) in Antarctica.
The surface of the Sun has a temperature of about 5,500°C (10,000°F).
Scientists have achieved temperatures as low as 0.000000000001 Kelvin in laboratories.
The temperature in the thermosphere (upper atmosphere) can reach 2,000°C (3,600°F).
The ideal temperature for brewing coffee is between 91°C to 96°C (195°F to 205°F).
Water States at Different Temperatures
States of Water at Different Temperatures
Explore how water changes states across various temperature scales
| State | Celsius (°C) | Fahrenheit (°F) | Kelvin (K) | Rankine (°R) | Réaumur (°Ré) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solid (Ice) | Below 0 | Below 32 | Below 273.15 | Below 491.67 | Below 0 | Water freezes into ice; molecules arrange in a crystalline structure |
| Liquid (Water) | 0 to 100 | 32 to 212 | 273.15 to 373.15 | 491.67 to 671.67 | 0 to 80 | Water in its liquid state; molecules can flow freely |
| Gas (Steam) | Above 100 | Above 212 | Above 373.15 | Above 671.67 | Above 80 | Water vaporizes into steam; molecules have enough energy to escape liquid surface |
| Triple Point | 0.01 | 32.018 | 273.16 | 491.69 | 0.008 | Point where solid, liquid, and gas phases of water coexist in equilibrium |
| Critical Point | 373.946 | 705.103 | 647.096 | 1164.773 | 299.157 | Beyond this point, distinct liquid and gas phases do not exist |
Additional Information:
- The freezing and boiling points of water can be affected by pressure. The values in this table are at standard atmospheric pressure (1 atm or 101.325 kPa).
- Supercooled water can remain liquid below its freezing point under certain conditions.
- Water can exist as a supercritical fluid above its critical point, where it behaves like both a liquid and a gas.
- The density of water is highest at 4°C (39.2°F), which is why ice floats on liquid water.
- Water has a high specific heat capacity, which means it can absorb or release a lot of heat with relatively small temperature changes. This property is crucial for climate regulation on Earth.
Human Body Temperature Range
Human Body Temperature Range
Explore how body temperature affects health
Body temperature is within the normal range
Body Temperature Facts
- Normal body temperature can vary by person, age, activity, and time of day.
- The average normal body temperature is generally accepted as 37°C (98.6°F).
- Body temperature is usually lowest in the early morning and highest in the late afternoon.
- Fever is generally considered a body temperature above 38°C (100.4°F).
- Hypothermia occurs when body temperature drops below 35°C (95°F).
Temperature Variations
| Condition | Temperature Range (°C) | Temperature Range (°F) |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Hypothermia | Below 28 | Below 82.4 |
| Mild Hypothermia | 32 - 35 | 89.6 - 95 |
| Normal | 36.5 - 37.5 | 97.7 - 99.5 |
| Fever | 38 - 39.5 | 100.4 - 103.1 |
| High Fever | Above 39.5 | Above 103.1 |
| Hyperthermia | Above 40 | Above 104 |
Important Notes
- Always consult a healthcare professional for accurate diagnosis and treatment of temperature-related conditions.
- Infants and older adults are more susceptible to temperature changes and may have different normal ranges.
- Certain medications and medical conditions can affect body temperature regulation.
- Persistent high or low body temperatures can be signs of serious health issues and should be evaluated by a doctor.
Temperature Knowledge Quiz
Temperature Knowledge Quiz
Question 1/5
What is the freezing point of water in Celsius?
Global Temperature Measurement Practices
Global Temperature Measurement Practices
Temperature measurement practices vary around the world, primarily divided between Celsius and Fahrenheit scales:
- Celsius (°C): Used by most countries worldwide, including in scientific applications.
- Fahrenheit (°F): Primarily used in the United States for everyday measurements.
- Kelvin (K): The SI unit of temperature, used in scientific contexts globally.
Regional Practices:
- Europe, Asia, Africa, and most of the Americas: Celsius is the standard for weather reports, cooking, and most other applications.
- United States: Fahrenheit is used for weather, cooking, and body temperature. Celsius is common in scientific and medical fields.
- United Kingdom: A mix of Celsius and Fahrenheit, with official use of Celsius but some everyday use of Fahrenheit, especially among older generations.
- Canada: Officially uses Celsius, but Fahrenheit is sometimes used in cooking.
In international contexts, such as aviation and scientific research, standardized practices often use Celsius or Kelvin to ensure consistency and avoid confusion.
Temperature Applications
Temperature Applications in Meteorology
In meteorology, temperature plays a crucial role in understanding and predicting weather patterns:
- Weather Forecasting: Temperature gradients help predict air movement and storm formation.
- Climate Studies: Long-term temperature records are essential for tracking climate change.
- Atmospheric Stability: Temperature variations with altitude determine atmospheric stability.
- Dew Point Calculation: Used to predict fog and cloud formation.
Temperature Applications in Industry
Temperature control and measurement are critical in various industrial processes:
- Manufacturing: Precise temperature control in processes like metal heat treatment, plastic molding, and food processing.
- Chemical Industry: Temperature regulation in reactions, distillation, and storage of chemicals.
- Energy Sector: Monitoring temperatures in power generation, from nuclear reactors to solar panels.
- Electronics: Managing heat in electronic devices and data centers.
Temperature Applications in Healthcare
Temperature is a vital parameter in healthcare and medical applications:
- Body Temperature Monitoring: A key vital sign for diagnosing illnesses and monitoring patient health.
- Sterilization: Ensuring proper temperatures for sterilizing medical equipment.
- Pharmaceutical Storage: Maintaining specific temperatures for drug efficacy and safety.
- Medical Imaging: Temperature control in MRI machines and other imaging equipment.
Temperature Measurement Accuracy
Temperature Measurement Accuracy
The accuracy of temperature measurements is crucial in many scientific and industrial applications. Different methods and devices offer varying levels of precision:
- Liquid-in-glass thermometers: Accuracy typically ±0.1°C to ±1°C, depending on quality and range.
- Thermocouples: Generally accurate to ±0.5°C to ±2°C, with some high-precision models reaching ±0.1°C.
- Resistance Temperature Detectors (RTDs): Can be very accurate, often ±0.1°C or better.
- Thermistors: Accuracy can range from ±0.1°C to ±1°C, with high sensitivity to small temperature changes.
- Infrared thermometers: Typically ±1°C to ±2°C, but can vary based on the surface being measured.
- Platinum Resistance Thermometers: Used as standards, can achieve accuracy better than ±0.001°C.
Factors affecting accuracy include calibration, environmental conditions, and the specific application. Regular calibration and proper use are essential for maintaining accuracy.
Advanced Temperature Concepts
Advanced Temperature Concepts
Heat Transfer
Heat transfer is the movement of thermal energy between systems. It occurs through three main mechanisms:
- Conduction: Direct transfer of heat through a material, typically in solids.
- Convection: Transfer of heat by the movement of fluids or gases.
- Radiation: Transfer of heat through electromagnetic waves, requiring no medium.
Thermal Conductivity
Thermal conductivity is a material's ability to conduct heat. It's measured in watts per meter-kelvin (W/(m·K)).
- High thermal conductivity: metals like copper (≈400 W/(m·K))
- Low thermal conductivity: insulators like styrofoam (≈0.03 W/(m·K))
Laws of Thermodynamics
- Zeroth Law: If two systems are in thermal equilibrium with a third system, they are in thermal equilibrium with each other.
- First Law: Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only converted from one form to another.
- Second Law: The entropy of an isolated system always increases over time.
- Third Law: As a system approaches absolute zero, all processes cease and the entropy approaches a minimum value.
Specific Heat Capacity
The amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of one unit of mass of a substance by one degree Celsius.
For example, water has a high specific heat capacity (4.18 J/g·°C), which is why it's used in cooling systems.
Phase Transitions
Changes in the physical state of matter that occur at specific temperatures:
- Melting/Freezing point
- Boiling/Condensation point
- Sublimation point
These transitions involve the absorption or release of latent heat without changing temperature.
History of Temperature Scales
History of Temperature Scales
The development of temperature scales has been a fascinating journey through scientific history. Here's a brief timeline of key developments:
- 1592-1593: Galileo Galilei invents a rudimentary water thermoscope, one of the first attempts to measure temperature.
- 1714: Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit invents the mercury-in-glass thermometer and develops the Fahrenheit scale.
- 1742: Anders Celsius proposes the Celsius scale, originally defining 0°C as the boiling point of water and 100°C as its freezing point.
- 1744: Carl Linnaeus reverses Celsius's scale to its modern form, with 0°C as the freezing point and 100°C as the boiling point of water.
- 1848: William Thomson (Lord Kelvin) proposes the absolute temperature scale, now known as the Kelvin scale.
- 1859: William John Macquorn Rankine proposes the Rankine scale, which uses the Fahrenheit degree intervals but starts at absolute zero.
- 1948: The 9th General Conference on Weights and Measures (CGPM) adopts the triple point of water as the defining fixed point for temperature scales.
- 1954: The 10th CGPM defines the Kelvin scale with the triple point of water as exactly 273.16 K.
- 2019: The Kelvin is redefined based on the Boltzmann constant, rather than the triple point of water.
These developments have led to the standardized and precise temperature measurements we use today in science, industry, and everyday life.
Glossary of Temperature Terms
- Absolute Zero
- The lowest possible temperature, at which all molecular motion ceases. It is approximately -273.15°C, -459.67°F, or 0 K.
- Celsius (°C)
- A temperature scale where water freezes at 0°C and boils at 100°C under standard atmospheric pressure.
- Fahrenheit (°F)
- A temperature scale where water freezes at 32°F and boils at 212°F under standard atmospheric pressure.
- Kelvin (K)
- The SI unit of temperature. It uses the same scale as Celsius but starts at absolute zero. Water freezes at 273.15 K and boils at 373.15 K.
- Rankine (°R)
- A thermodynamic temperature scale that uses the Fahrenheit degree but starts at absolute zero, similar to how Kelvin relates to Celsius.
- Réaumur (°Ré)
- An obsolete temperature scale where water freezes at 0°Ré and boils at 80°Ré. It was once widely used in Europe.
- Thermal Equilibrium
- The state in which two objects in contact with each other have reached the same temperature.
- Heat Capacity
- The amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of an object by one degree.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Temperature Questions
Answers to frequently asked questions about temperature