Fahrenheit

Definition

Fahrenheit is a temperature scale that measures the degree of heat or cold. It is commonly used in the United States and a few other countries, and it is based on the freezing and boiling points of water under standard atmospheric pressure.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Fahrenheit scale was developed by German physicist Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit in the early 18th century.
2. On the Fahrenheit scale, the freezing point of water is 32°F and the boiling point of water is 212°F under standard atmospheric pressure.
3. The Fahrenheit scale is based on the freezing point of a solution of brine (a mixture of water and salt) as 0°F, and the average human body temperature as 96°F.
4. To convert a temperature from Fahrenheit to Celsius, you can use the formula: °C = (°F - 32) × 5/9.
5. The Fahrenheit scale is primarily used in the United States, while the Celsius scale is used in most other countries around the world.

Review Questions

• Explain how the Fahrenheit scale is defined and how it relates to the measurement of temperature.
  • The Fahrenheit scale is a temperature scale that measures the degree of heat or cold, with the freezing point of water set at 32°F and the boiling point of water set at 212°F under standard atmospheric pressure. The scale was developed by German physicist Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit in the early 18th century and is based on the freezing point of a solution of brine (a mixture of water and salt) as 0°F, and the average human body temperature as 96°F. The Fahrenheit scale is primarily used in the United States, while the Celsius scale is used in most other countries around the world.
• Describe the relationship between the Fahrenheit and Celsius temperature scales and explain the process for converting between the two.
  • The Celsius and Fahrenheit temperature scales are both used to measure the degree of heat or cold, but they differ in their reference points and scale. The Celsius scale is based on the freezing point of water at 0°C and the boiling point of water at 100°C under standard atmospheric pressure, while the Fahrenheit scale is based on a different set of reference points. To convert a temperature from Fahrenheit to Celsius, you can use the formula: °C = (°F - 32) × 5/9. This formula allows you to translate a temperature measurement from one scale to the other, enabling comparisons and conversions between the two systems.
• Analyze the importance of the Fahrenheit scale in the context of systems of measurement and its historical significance in the development of temperature measurement.
  • The Fahrenheit scale is a significant component of systems of measurement, particularly in the United States, where it is the primary temperature scale used. Its historical significance lies in the fact that it was developed by German physicist Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit in the early 18th century, marking an important milestone in the evolution of temperature measurement. The Fahrenheit scale, with its unique reference points and scale, has shaped the way temperature is understood and communicated in certain regions, and its continued use in the US highlights the importance of understanding and being able to work with multiple temperature scales. Analyzing the Fahrenheit scale's role in systems of measurement and its historical context provides valuable insights into the development of scientific measurement and the diversity of approaches to quantifying temperature.

Related terms

Celsius:

Celsius is a temperature scale that measures the degree of heat or cold, with the freezing point of water at 0°C and the boiling point at 100°C under standard atmospheric pressure.

Absolute Zero: Absolute zero is the lowest possible temperature, which is approximately -273.15°C or -459.67°F, and represents the complete absence of heat.

Thermal Expansion: Thermal expansion is the increase in the size or volume of a material when it is heated, which is a fundamental concept in the measurement of temperature.