Celsius explained
The Celsius temperature scale, also known as the centigrade scale, is a widely used temperature scale in which the freezing point of water is 0 degrees and the boiling point is 100 degrees under standard atmospheric conditions. It is named after the Swedish astronomer Anders Celsius.
Symbol
The symbol for the Celsius temperature scale is °C.
Origin
The Celsius scale was originally defined by Anders Celsius in 1742. Initially, he set the boiling point of water at 0 degrees and the freezing point at 100 degrees, but this was later reversed to the current standard by other scientists, notably Jean-Pierre Christin in 1743. The scale was adopted by the scientific community and has since become the standard for temperature measurement in most of the world.
Use
The Celsius scale is used in many scientific and engineering applications due to its simplicity and ease of use. It is also the preferred temperature scale for weather forecasts and climate studies. The scale's definition based on the properties of water makes it highly relevant for everyday use and scientific research.
Conversion and Relation to Other Scales
The Celsius scale can be easily converted to other temperature scales, such as Fahrenheit. Additionally, it is closely related to the Kelvin scale, which is the SI base unit for thermodynamic temperature. The relationship between Celsius and Kelvin is given by: Kelvin (K) = Celsius (°C) + 273.15.
Historical Development
Over time, the definition of the Celsius scale has evolved. Initially based on the freezing and boiling points of water, it was later defined in terms of absolute zero and the triple point of water. As of 2019, the kelvin is defined by the Boltzmann constant, but the relationship between Celsius and Kelvin remains unchanged.
How do I convert celsius to other temperature units?
Use the links below for easy conversions from celsius to other temperature units available on this website.