Fahrenheit
From Halbeeg, the open encyclopedia · Af-Soomaali
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Fahrenheit (symbol: °F) is a temperature scale with a long history of use. It is named after a European physicist who developed mercury thermometers of high quality in the eighteenth century, after whom the scale was named.
The Fahrenheit scale is defined by two well-known reference points: the freezing point of water at 32 °F and the boiling point of water at 212 °F, at standard atmospheric pressure. The interval between these two points is 180 divisions, meaning that a Fahrenheit degree is smaller than a Celsius degree.
Definition and calculation
Conversion between Fahrenheit and Celsius is done using the formulas: °F = (°C × 9/5) + 32, and conversely °C = (°F − 32) × 5/9. The two scales meet at only one point, −40, where −40 °C equals −40 °F. Today, Fahrenheit is scientifically defined by reference to the Kelvin scale, which underlies the international system of measurement units.
History
Originally, Fahrenheit based his scale on reference points that could be obtained naturally, such as a mixture of ice, water, and salt, and human body temperature. These original reference points were later adjusted when the freezing and boiling points of water became the basis of the scale, so that results would be reproducible.
Current use
Most countries in the world have switched to Celsius, particularly after adoption of the metric system. Fahrenheit remains in everyday use in the United States and a few related territories, notably in weather reports, cooking, and home heating. In scientific publications and global health standards, Celsius and Kelvin are standard.