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Degree (temperature) facts for kids

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This article is about Degree (disambiguation). For other uses, see Degree (temperature) (disambiguation).

A degree is a way to measure how hot or cold something is. Think of it like steps on a ladder for temperature. We use a special symbol, °, to show degrees. For example, "°C" means "degrees Celsius."

One degree Celsius is a small step on the temperature ladder. It's based on water: 0°C is when water freezes, and 100°C is when it boils.

Common Temperature Scales

There are a few main ways we measure temperature using degrees:

  • Celsius (°C): This scale is used in most countries around the world. Water freezes at 0°C and boils at 100°C.
  • Fahrenheit (°F): This scale is mainly used in the United States. Water freezes at 32°F and boils at 212°F.
  • Rankine (°R or °Ra): This scale is like Fahrenheit but starts at the coldest possible temperature, called absolute zero. So, 0 degrees Rankine is absolute zero.

What is Kelvin?

Main article: kelvin

The kelvin (symbol K) is another important way to measure temperature. It's the main unit used in science, especially for very precise measurements.

Before 1967, it was called "degree Kelvin" (°K). But now, it's just "kelvin" and doesn't use the degree symbol. The kelvin scale also starts at absolute zero, which is the coldest temperature anything can ever be.

Even though kelvin doesn't use degrees, a change of one kelvin is the same size as a change of one degree Celsius. This makes them easy to use together.

Comparing Temperatures

Here are some common temperatures shown in both Celsius and Fahrenheit:

  • Boiling point of water: 100.0 °C / 212.0 °F
  • Melting point of ice: 0.0 °C / 32.0 °F
  • Typical human body temperature: 37.0 °C / 98.6 °F
  • Room temperature: 20–25 °C / 68–77 °F

Changing Between Scales

Kelvin


Celsius


Fahrenheit


Rankine scale


Rømer scale


Newton scale


Delisle scale


Réaumur scale

Sometimes you need to change a temperature from one scale to another. For example, if you know the temperature in Celsius, you can figure out what it would be in Fahrenheit.

Here are the simple ways to convert:

  • To change Celsius (°C) to Fahrenheit (°F): Multiply the Celsius temperature by 9/5, then add 32.
  • To change Fahrenheit (°F) to Celsius (°C): Subtract 32 from the Fahrenheit temperature, then multiply by 5/9.
  • To change Celsius (°C) to Kelvin (K): Add 273.15 to the Celsius temperature.
  • To change Kelvin (K) to Celsius (°C): Subtract 273.15 from the Kelvin temperature.

See also

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Degree (temperature) Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.