Delisle scale facts for kids
The Delisle scale is a way to measure how hot or cold something is, also known as temperature. A French astronomer named Joseph-Nicolas Delisle created it in 1732. He used a special tool called a thermometer that had mercury inside. The unit for this scale is often shortened to "De" or "D".
Contents
Understanding the Delisle Scale
How the Delisle Scale Measures Temperature
The Delisle scale is unique because it works a bit differently from scales we use today, like Celsius or Fahrenheit. On the Delisle scale, 0°De is the boiling point of water under normal air pressure. This means that when water is boiling, it's at 0 degrees on the Delisle scale.
Delisle first made his thermometer with 2400 degrees. He watched how the mercury inside the thermometer changed volume as it got hotter or colder.
An Important Change: Josias Weitbrecht's Update
In 1738, another scientist named Josias Weitbrecht made an important change to the Delisle scale. He recalibrated the thermometer to also include the melting point of ice. After this change, ice melts at 150°De.
Counting Downwards
One of the most interesting things about the Delisle scale is that it counts downwards. This means that as things get colder, the number on the scale gets higher. For example, water boils at 0°De, but ice melts at 150°De. This is the opposite of scales like Celsius, where higher numbers mean hotter temperatures.
Where the Delisle Scale Was Used
The Delisle scale was quite popular, especially in Russia, during the 19th century. However, over time, other temperature scales like Celsius and Fahrenheit became more widely used around the world. Today, the Delisle scale is considered an obsolete unit of measurement, meaning it's no longer commonly used.
See also
In Spanish: Escala Delisle para niños
