Celsius

Definition

Celsius is a temperature scale that measures the degree of hotness or coldness of an object or environment. It is based on the freezing and boiling points of water, with 0°C representing the freezing point and 100°C representing the boiling point of water at standard atmospheric pressure.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Celsius scale is named after the Swedish astronomer Anders Celsius, who proposed the scale in 1742.
2. The Celsius scale is widely used in scientific and everyday applications, particularly in countries that have adopted the metric system.
3. The Celsius scale is linearly related to the Kelvin scale, with 0°C equivalent to 273.15 K and a 1°C change equal to a 1 K change.
4. The Celsius scale is based on the properties of water, with the freezing point of water at standard atmospheric pressure defined as 0°C and the boiling point defined as 100°C.
5. The Celsius scale is useful for measuring temperatures in a range that is relevant to human and environmental conditions, making it a practical choice for many applications.

Review Questions

• Explain the relationship between the Celsius and Kelvin temperature scales.
  • The Celsius and Kelvin temperature scales are linearly related, with the Celsius scale being a shifted version of the Kelvin scale. Specifically, 0°C is equivalent to 273.15 K, and a 1°C change is equal to a 1 K change. This relationship allows for easy conversion between the two scales, which is important when working with scientific measurements and calculations that require precise temperature values.
• Describe how the Celsius scale is defined based on the properties of water.
  • The Celsius scale is defined such that the freezing point of water at standard atmospheric pressure is 0°C, and the boiling point of water at standard atmospheric pressure is 100°C. This definition is based on the fundamental properties of water, which is a common and important substance in many scientific and everyday applications. The Celsius scale's connection to the behavior of water makes it a practical and intuitive choice for measuring temperatures in a range that is relevant to human and environmental conditions.
• Analyze the significance of the Celsius scale in the context of temperature and thermal equilibrium.
  • The Celsius scale is a crucial tool for understanding and measuring temperature, which is a fundamental concept in the study of temperature and thermal equilibrium. The Celsius scale allows for the quantification of the degree of hotness or coldness of an object or environment, which is essential for determining when thermal equilibrium has been achieved. By providing a standardized and widely-used temperature scale, the Celsius scale enables the accurate measurement and comparison of temperatures, allowing for the study of heat transfer, thermal properties of materials, and the behavior of systems in thermal equilibrium.

Related terms

Temperature:

A measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in a substance, which determines the degree of hotness or coldness of an object.

Thermal Equilibrium:

The state in which two or more objects or systems have the same temperature, and there is no net transfer of thermal energy between them.

Thermometer:

A device used to measure the temperature of an object or environment, often using the expansion or contraction of a liquid or gas to indicate the temperature.