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Basics of Biology

Basic Chemistry For Biology

How are Celsius temperatures converted into Fahrenheit temperatures?

Temperature is the level of heat in a gas, liquid, or solid. The freezing and boiling points of water are used as standard reference levels in both the metric (Celsius or, less common, Centigrade) and the English system (Fahrenheit). In the metric system, the difference between freezing and boiling is divided into one hundred equal intervals each called a degree Celsius (°C); in the English system, the intervals are divided into 180 units, with one unit called a degree Fahrenheit (°F).

The formula for converting Celsius temperatures into Fahrenheit is °F = (°C × 9/5) 32. The formula for converting Fahrenheit temperatures into Celsius is °C = (°F - 32) × 5/9. Some comparisons between the two scales are as follows:

Temperature

Fahrenheit

Centigrade

Absolute zero

–459.67

–273.15

Point of equality

–40

–40

0°F

0

–17.8

Freezing point of water

32

0

Normal human blood temperature

98.4

36.9

100°F

100

37.8

Boiling point of water (at standard pressure)

212

100