- Degree (temperature)
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For other uses, see Degree (disambiguation).
The term degree is used in several scales of temperature. The symbol ° is usually used, followed by the initial letter of the unit, for example “°C” for degree(s) Celsius. A degree can be defined as a set change in temperature measured against a given scale, for example, one degree celsius is one hundredth of the temperature change between water melting and water boiling.
Contents
Scales of temperature measured in degrees
Common scales of temperature measured in degrees:
- Celsius (°C)
- Kelvin (K), which uses the Celsius scale, adjusted so that 0 kelvins is equal to absolute zero.
- Fahrenheit (°F)
- Rankine (°R or °Ra), which uses the Fahrenheit scale, adjusted so that 0 degrees Rankine is equal to absolute zero.
Other scales of temperature:
Kelvin
Main article: KelvinThe degree Kelvin (°K) is a former name for the SI unit of temperature on the thermodynamic (absolute) temperature scale. Since 1967 it has been known simply as the kelvin, with symbol K. Degree absolute (°A) is obsolete terminology, often referring specifically to the kelvin but sometimes the degree Rankine as well.[1]
Comparisons
- Boiling point of water: 100.0 °C / 212.0 °F
- Melting point of ice: 0.0 °C / 32.0 °F
- Typical human body temperature: 37.0 °C / 98.6 °F
- Room temperature: the 20 - 25 °C / 68 - 77 °F
(source[2])
Temperature conversions
See also
- Comparison of temperature scales
- Degree sign
- International System of Units
References
- ^ "Unit of thermodynamic temperature (kelvin) (SI brochure, Section 2.1.1.5)". International Bureau of Weights and Measures. http://www.bipm.org/en/si/si_brochure/chapter2/2-1/kelvin.html. Retrieved 2009-02-10.
- ^ "Metric system temperature (kelvin and degree Celsius)". Colorado State University - Lamar. http://lamar.colostate.edu/~hillger/temps.htm. Retrieved 2009-02-10.
Categories:- Units of temperature
- Standards and measurement stubs
- Physics stubs
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