The term ''degree'' is used in several

scales of temperature Scale of temperature is a methodology of calibrating the physical quantity temperature in metrology. Empirical scales measure temperature in relation to convenient and stable parameters, such as the freezing and boiling point of water. Absolute ...

, with the notable exception of

kelvin The kelvin, symbol K, is the primary unit of temperature in the International System of Units (SI), used alongside its prefixed forms and the degree Celsius. It is named after the Belfast-born and University of Glasgow-based engineer and phys ...

, primary unit of temperature for

engineering Engineering is the use of scientific method, scientific principles to design and build machines, structures, and other items, including bridges, tunnels, roads, vehicles, and buildings. The discipline of engineering encompasses a broad rang ...

and the

physical sciences Physical science is a branch of natural science that studies non-living systems, in contrast to life science. It in turn has many branches, each referred to as a "physical science", together called the "physical sciences". Definition Phy ...

. The

degree symbol The degree symbol or degree sign, , is a typographical symbol that is used, among other things, to represent degrees of arc (e.g. in geographic coordinate systems), hours (in the medical field), degrees of temperature or alcohol proof. The symbo ...

° is usually used, followed by the initial letter of the unit; for example, "°C" for degree(s) Celsius. A degree can be defined as a set change in temperature measured against a given scale; for example, one degree Celsius is one-hundredth of the temperature change between the point at which water starts to change state from solid to liquid state and the point at which it starts to change from its liquid to gaseous state.

Scales of temperature measured in degrees

Common scales of temperature measured in degrees: *

Celsius The degree Celsius is the unit of temperature on the Celsius scale (originally known as the centigrade scale outside Sweden), one of two temperature scales used in the International System of Units (SI), the other being the Kelvin scale. The ...

(°C) *

Fahrenheit The Fahrenheit scale () is a temperature scale based on one proposed in 1724 by the physicist Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit (1686–1736). It uses the degree Fahrenheit (symbol: °F) as the unit. Several accounts of how he originally defined his ...

(°F) *

Rankine Rankine is a surname. Notable people with the surname include: * William Rankine (1820–1872), Scottish engineer and physicist ** Rankine body an elliptical shape of significance in fluid dynamics, named for Rankine ** Rankine scale, an absolute-te ...

(°R or °Ra), which uses the Fahrenheit scale, adjusted so that 0 degrees Rankine is equal to

absolute zero Absolute zero is the lowest limit of the thermodynamic temperature scale, a state at which the enthalpy and entropy of a cooled ideal gas reach their minimum value, taken as zero kelvin. The fundamental particles of nature have minimum vibration ...

. Unlike the degree Fahrenheit and degree Celsius, the kelvin is not referred to or written as a degree. The kelvin is the primary unit of temperature measurement in the physical sciences, but is often used in conjunction with the degree Celsius, which has the same magnitude. Other scales of temperature: * Delisle (°D) *

Newton Newton most commonly refers to: * Isaac Newton (1642–1726/1727), English scientist * Newton (unit), SI unit of force named after Isaac Newton Newton may also refer to: Arts and entertainment * ''Newton'' (film), a 2017 Indian film * Newton ( ...

(°N) * Réaumur (°Ré) * Rømer (°Rø) *

Wedgwood Wedgwood is an English fine china, porcelain and luxury accessories manufacturer that was founded on 1 May 1759 by the potter and entrepreneur Josiah Wedgwood and was first incorporated in 1895 as Josiah Wedgwood and Sons Ltd. It was rapid ...

(°W)

Kelvin

The "degree Kelvin" (°K) is a former name and symbol for the SI unit of temperature on the thermodynamic (absolute) temperature scale. Since 1967, it has been known simply as the

, with symbol K (without a degree symbol). Degree absolute (°A) is obsolete terminology, often referring specifically to the kelvin but sometimes the degree Rankine as well.

Comparisons

* Boiling point of water: 100.0 °C / 212.0 °F * Melting point of ice: 0.0 °C / 32.0 °F * Typical human body temperature: 37.0 °C / 98.6 °F * Room temperature: 20–25 °C / 68–77 °F

Temperature conversions

All three of the major temperature scales are related through a

linear equation In mathematics, a linear equation is an equation that may be put in the form a_1x_1+\ldots+a_nx_n+b=0, where x_1,\ldots,x_n are the variables (or unknowns), and b,a_1,\ldots,a_n are the coefficients, which are often real numbers. The coefficien ...

, and so the conversion between any of them is relatively straightforward. For instance, any Celsius temperature ''c'' °C can be calculated from a corresponding Fahrenheit temperature ''f'' °F or absolute temperature ''k'' K. :

\begin
c \;=\; \frac(f - 32) \;=\; k-273.15
\end

The equations above may also be rearranged to solve for

f

k

, to give :

\begin
f \;&=\; \fracc + 32 \;=\; \frac (k-273.15) + 32\\
k \;&=\; c+273.15 \;=\; \frac(f - 32) + 273.15
\end

References

{{reflist Units of temperature

Scales of temperature measured in degrees

Kelvin

Comparisons

Temperature conversions

See also

References