TEMPERATURE SCALES 

Long ago it was recognized that uniformity in the measurement of temperature was essential. It would be unwise to rely on such subjective judgments of temperature as cool, cooler, and coolest; therefore, arbitrary scales were devised. Some of them are described in this section. They are Fahrenheit, Celsius, and absolute (Kelvin) scales. These are the scales used by the meteoro-logical services of all the countries in the world.

Table 1-4-1 shows a temperature conversion scale for Celsius, Fahrenheit, and Kelvin.

The Fahrenheit scale was invented by Gabriel Daniel Fahrenheit about 1710. He was the first to use mercury in a thermometer. The Fahrenheit scale has 180 divisions or degrees between the freezing (32F) and boiling (212F) points of water.

The Celsius scale was devised by Anders Celsius also during the 18th century. This scale has reference points with respect to water of 0C for freezing and 100C for boiling.

It should be noted that many publications still refer to the centigrade temperature scale.

Table 1-4-1.Temperature Conversion Scale

Centigrade simply means graduated in 100 increments, and has recently and officially adopted the name of its discoverer, Celsius.

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