Degree Fahrenheit

Definition

Degree Fahrenheit is a unit of temperature measurement in the imperial system, primarily used in the United States. It is based on a scale where the freezing point of water is 32 degrees and the boiling point is 212 degrees under standard atmospheric conditions.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. 1 degree Fahrenheit represents a smaller temperature interval than 1 degree Celsius.
2. The Fahrenheit scale was proposed by Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit in 1724.
3. To convert from Celsius to Fahrenheit, use the formula $F = (C \times \frac{9}{5}) + 32$.
4. The Rankine scale, used in thermodynamics, is directly related to the Fahrenheit scale where $0°R = -459.67°F$.
5. The human body temperature averages around 98.6°F.

Review Questions

• What are the freezing and boiling points of water on the Fahrenheit scale?
• Who proposed the Fahrenheit temperature scale and when?
• How do you convert a temperature from degrees Celsius to degrees Fahrenheit?

Related terms

Degree Celsius: A unit of temperature measurement in the metric system where water freezes at 0°C and boils at 100°C.

Rankine Scale: An absolute temperature scale similar to Kelvin but uses degrees Fahrenheit for its intervals.

Thermodynamics: The branch of physics that deals with heat, work, and forms of energy transformation.