Question

Describe the three temperature scales used in the laboratory and in everyday life: the Fahrenheit, Celsius, and Kelvin scales.

Short answer

Fahrenheit is used mainly in the US with water freezing at 32°F; Celsius is used worldwide with water freezing at 0°C; Kelvin is used in science with water freezing at 273.15 K.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding Fahrenheit Scale

The Fahrenheit scale is used predominantly in the United States. On this scale, the freezing point of water is 32 degrees Fahrenheit (°F), and the boiling point is 212 degrees Fahrenheit at standard atmospheric pressure, making the interval between these two points exactly 180 degrees.

Understanding Celsius Scale

The Celsius scale is widely used around the world and in scientific contexts. On this scale, the freezing point of water is 0 degrees Celsius (°C), and the boiling point is 100 degrees Celsius. This scale is part of the metric system, which makes it convenient for scientific calculations.

Understanding Kelvin Scale

The Kelvin scale is used primarily in scientific research and applications. It is an absolute temperature scale, beginning at absolute zero, the point at which all thermal motion ceases. The freezing point of water on the Kelvin scale is 273.15 Kelvin (K), and the boiling point is 373.15 Kelvin. Kelvin does not use the degree symbol.

Key concepts

Fahrenheit Scale

The Fahrenheit scale is one of the temperature scales that is still widely used, especially in the United States. It can be a bit tricky to understand at first, primarily due to its unique settings compared to other scales. In Fahrenheit, water freezes at 32 degrees Fahrenheit and boils at 212 degrees Fahrenheit. This creates a 180-degree separation between these two critical points. This interval is not as straightforward as the Celsius or Kelvin scales, but becomes familiar with regular use.

Fahrenheit is often employed in daily life for measuring weather temperatures, cooking, and various industrial processes. It has a smaller degree size than Celsius, allowing for more specific measurement divisions. Even though it's less common globally, it's good to become familiar with it, especially if you're in areas where it's predominantly used.

• Freezing Point of Water: 32 °F
• Boiling Point of Water: 212 °F
• Commonly used in: United States

Celsius Scale

The Celsius scale is perhaps the most intuitive for those familiar with the metric system. On this scale, water freezes at 0 degrees Celsius and boils at 100 degrees Celsius under standard atmospheric conditions. This neat 100-degree gap makes Celsius especially handy for everyday use and scientific calculations, which require consistent metric measurements.

Celsius is the temperature scale of choice around the globe, especially outside of the United States. It's used in most scientific contexts and is compatible with the metric system, making calculations easy to manage. This scale is simple to use because it divides its temperature range based directly on water's physical properties.

• Freezing Point of Water: 0 °C
• Boiling Point of Water: 100 °C
• Commonly used in: Global, scientific contexts

Kelvin Scale

The Kelvin scale is unique as it is an absolute temperature scale, meaning it starts at absolute zero. This is a theoretical point where all molecular motion stops, marking the lowest possible temperature. Water freezes at 273.15 Kelvin and boils at 373.15 Kelvin.

The beauty of the Kelvin scale lies in its use in scientific research and calculations that require precision. Unlike other scales, Kelvin does not use degrees, and it integrates seamlessly into equations and scientific expressions. Kelvin is crucial for understanding thermodynamics, and its non-relative measure of temperature helps provide exact results in research.

• Absolute Zero: 0 K
• Freezing Point of Water: 273.15 K
• Boiling Point of Water: 373.15 K
• Commonly used in: Science and research