What is 32 degrees Fahrenheit in Celsius?
0°C — the freezing point of water. This is the key equivalence that defines the relationship between Fahrenheit and Celsius scales.
Why is 32 degrees the freezing point?
32°F was established as the freezing point of water when Daniel Fahrenheit calibrated his scale using a mixture of ice, water, and salt (brine) which freezes at 0°F, and pure water which freezes at 32°F. The boiling point was set at 212°F, creating a 180-degree span between freezing and boiling.
How do you convert Celsius to Fahrenheit?
Multiply the Celsius temperature by 9/5 (or 1.8) and add 32. Formula: F = (C × 9/5) + 32. For example, 0°C × 9/5 + 32 = 32°F.
What is Kelvin?
Kelvin is an absolute temperature scale starting at absolute zero (-273.15°C), where all molecular motion stops. It uses the same degree increments as Celsius, so 0°C = 273.15K. The freezing point of water is 273.15K, and it has no negative values.
What's the difference between Celsius and Fahrenheit?
Celsius and Fahrenheit use different reference points and degree sizes. Celsius sets water's freezing point at 0°C and boiling point at 100°C, creating a 100-degree span. Fahrenheit sets freezing at 32°F and boiling at 212°F, a 180-degree span. One degree Celsius equals 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit. Celsius is used globally in science and most countries; Fahrenheit remains common in the United States.
Who invented the Fahrenheit and Celsius scales?
Daniel Fahrenheit, a German physicist, created the Fahrenheit scale in 1724, calibrating it using a brine mixture (0°F) and pure water's freezing point (32°F). Anders Celsius, a Swedish astronomer, proposed the Celsius scale in 1742 with 0°C for boiling and 100°C for freezing. Carl Linnaeus later inverted it to the modern form where 0°C is freezing and 100°C is boiling.
What is absolute zero?
Absolute zero is the theoretical temperature at which all molecular motion ceases, occurring at -273.15°C, -459.67°F, or 0K. It represents the complete absence of thermal energy. While it cannot be reached in practice, scientists have achieved temperatures within billionths of a degree above it. The Kelvin scale starts at absolute zero, making it essential for scientific calculations involving thermodynamics.