Temperature is a fundamental physical quantity that expresses how hot or cold an object is. Two of the most commonly used temperature scales in the world are the Fahrenheit (°F) and Celsius (°C) scales. While the Celsius scale is used globally and in scientific contexts, the Fahrenheit scale is primarily used in the United States and a few Caribbean nations.
The Fahrenheit scale was developed by Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit in 1724. He set 32 °F as the freezing point of water and 212 °F as the boiling point under standard atmospheric pressure, creating 180 degrees between them.
The Celsius scale, introduced by Anders Celsius in 1742, defines 0 °C as the freezing point of water and 100 °C as the boiling point. It’s widely used due to its simplicity and metric alignment.
To convert from Fahrenheit to Celsius, use the formula:
°C = (°F - 32) × 5/9
| Fahrenheit (°F) | Celsius (°C) |
|---|---|
| 32 | 0 |
| 50 | 10 |
| 68 | 20 |
| 86 | 30 |
| 104 | 40 |
| 122 | 50 |
| 212 | 100 |
The difference arises from the reference points each scale uses. Fahrenheit used brine freezing and body temperatures, while Celsius was based on the freezing and boiling points of water, making it easier to use in science and daily life.
Conversions can be done using:
Converting Fahrenheit to Celsius is essential for global communication and understanding. Whether for travel, science, or daily use, knowing how to switch between these scales is a valuable skill.
Just remember the formula: °C = (°F - 32) × 5/9