College Physics III – Thermodynamics, Electricity, and Magnetism
Definition
The Fahrenheit scale is a temperature scale that uses degrees Fahrenheit (°F) as the unit of measurement. It is one of the most widely used temperature scales, particularly in the United States, and is based on the freezing and boiling points of water under standard atmospheric pressure.
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The Fahrenheit scale was developed in 1724 by German physicist Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit, who based the scale on the freezing point of a brine solution (0°F) and the average human body temperature (96°F).
The Fahrenheit scale has a wider range of values compared to the Celsius scale, with the freezing point of water at 32°F and the boiling point of water at 212°F under standard atmospheric pressure.
The formula to convert Fahrenheit to Celsius is: $C = (F - 32) \times \frac{5}{9}$, and the formula to convert Celsius to Fahrenheit is: $F = C \times \frac{9}{5} + 32$.
Thermometers that measure temperature in Fahrenheit are commonly used in the United States, while Celsius is the predominant scale in most other countries.
The Fahrenheit scale is based on the concept of thermal expansion, where the volume of a liquid or gas changes with temperature, allowing for the measurement and calibration of thermometers.
Review Questions
Explain the historical development of the Fahrenheit scale and how it relates to the freezing and boiling points of water.
The Fahrenheit scale was developed in 1724 by German physicist Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit, who based the scale on the freezing point of a brine solution (0°F) and the average human body temperature (96°F). The scale was designed such that the freezing point of water is 32°F and the boiling point of water is 212°F under standard atmospheric pressure. This range was chosen to provide a wider scale for temperature measurement compared to other existing scales at the time.
Describe the relationship between the Fahrenheit and Celsius temperature scales and the formulas used to convert between them.
The Fahrenheit and Celsius scales are the two most commonly used temperature scales, with the Celsius scale being the international standard. The formula to convert Fahrenheit to Celsius is: $C = (F - 32) \times \frac{5}{9}$, and the formula to convert Celsius to Fahrenheit is: $F = C \times \frac{9}{5} + 32$. These conversion formulas allow for the translation of temperature measurements between the two scales, which is important for scientific and practical applications where temperature data needs to be shared or compared across different systems of measurement.
Analyze the role of thermal expansion in the design and operation of thermometers that measure temperature in Fahrenheit.
The Fahrenheit scale is based on the principle of thermal expansion, where the volume of a liquid or gas changes with temperature. This principle is crucial in the design and operation of thermometers that measure temperature in Fahrenheit. As the temperature changes, the volume of the liquid or gas inside the thermometer also changes, and this change in volume is used to calibrate the thermometer and provide a temperature reading in Fahrenheit. The wider range of the Fahrenheit scale, compared to the Celsius scale, allows for more precise temperature measurements in applications where a finer scale is required, such as in medical settings or certain industrial processes.
The Celsius scale is a temperature scale that uses degrees Celsius (°C) as the unit of measurement. It is the most widely used temperature scale internationally and is based on the freezing and boiling points of water under standard atmospheric pressure.
Absolute zero is the lowest possible temperature, where the motion of atoms and molecules reaches its minimum. It is equivalent to -273.15°C or -459.67°F.
Thermal expansion is the increase in the size or volume of a material due to an increase in temperature. This principle is used in the design and operation of thermometers.