Question

You will be traveling to Hawaii where the forecast is for a temperature of \(31^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) during the day, dropping to \(28^{\circ}\) C overnight. Your friend recommends that you bring clothing for warm weather. Is this a good recommendation? Why or why not?

Short answer

Yes, it is a good recommendation. Both day and night temperatures are warm, suitable for summer attire.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding the Temperature Scale

The temperature in the exercise is provided in degrees Celsius. Daytime temperature is given as \(31^{\circ}\) C and nighttime temperature is as \(28^{\circ}\) C. Celsius is a metric system for temperature used in most parts of the world.

Assessing Temperature Context

The temperatures provided show that during the day, it is \(31^{\circ}\) C, which is warm and typical for tropical climates. At night, the temperature drops slightly to \(28^{\circ}\) C, which is still considered warm.

Converting to Fahrenheit (Optional)

For comparison, you might convert these temperatures to Fahrenheit. The formula to convert Celsius to Fahrenheit is \( F = \frac{9}{5}C + 32 \). For \(31^{\circ}\) C, it converts to \( F = \frac{9}{5}\times31 + 32 = 87.8^{\circ} \)F. For \(28^{\circ}\) C, \( F = \frac{9}{5}\times28 + 32 = 82.4^{\circ} \)F.

Evaluating Clothing Recommendation

Given both \(31^{\circ}\) C and \(28^{\circ}\) C temperatures are warm (31°C is approximately 88°F, and 28°C is 82°F), wearing warm weather clothing like shorts, t-shirts, and light fabrics is advisable. Temperatures at these levels don't typically require heavy clothing.

Key concepts

Understanding Temperature Scales

When we talk about temperature, it's important to know how it is measured. Different parts of the world use different temperature scales. The two most common are Celsius and Fahrenheit. Celsius is widely used in most countries. In everyday conversations, it is often referred to as `centigrade`.
The Celsius scale has its freezing point of water at 0°C and boiling point at 100°C under standard atmospheric conditions.
This makes it a very logical and straightforward metric for colder and warmer temperatures.

• In contrast, Fahrenheit, common in the United States, sets water's freezing point at 32°F and boiling at 212°F.
• To convert temperatures from Celsius to Fahrenheit, you use the formula: \( F = \frac{9}{5}C + 32 \).

This means converting Celsius temperatures to Fahrenheit can help people familiar with Fahrenheit understand the weather better.
For instance, in this exercise, the daytime temperature of 31°C is 87.8°F, and overnight 28°C is 82.4°F. This reinforces the description of warm and balmy tropical weather.

Exploring the Metric System

The Celsius temperature scale is part of the larger metric system. This is an international decimalized system of measurement. It is widely used around the world for its simplicity and ease of conversion.

• The metric system was designed so units like meters, kilograms, and liters can easily interconvert with multiple and submultiple units like kilometers, grams, and milliliters using powers of ten.

This system is logical and uniform.
In terms of temperature, Celsius is directly used within this framework. This allows for consistent measurement whether you're measuring weather or a scientific experiment.

• For instance, the Celsius temperature readings provided for Hawaii’s weather help anyone in a country familiar with the metric system immediately grasp the weather conditions without needing extra conversion.

The beauty of the metric system lies in its universal acceptance, making international scientific communication straightforward and uniform.

Tips for Warm Weather Clothing

Choosing the right clothes for warm weather is essential to staying comfortable and even healthy. When the temperatures are as warm as 31°C during the day and 28°C at night, like in Hawaii, it's best to pack light and breathable clothes.
Warm weather clothes allow your skin to breathe and your body to regulate its temperature effectively. Here are some clothing tips for such climates:

• Opt for light fabrics like cotton and linen, which allow for good airflow and are excellent at absorbing sweat.
• Loose-fitting clothes are preferable as they let air circulate and keep you cooler.
• Shorts, skirts, and t-shirts are ideal as they cover less of the skin, keeping you cooler.
• A hat and sunglasses can help protect against UV rays while keeping the sun out of your eyes.
• Don’t forget breathable footwear to avoid discomfort due to heat build-up.

These clothing choices are practical for maintaining comfort in warm climates and are also versatile enough for beach outings or tropical adventures.