The input temperature argument is internally converted into its equivalent on the Kelvin (K) scale and then that value is, in turn, converted into its equivalent on all the other scales and the computed results displayed.
Applying the mathematical definition, absolute zero means the absence of all heat, thus there cannot be any negative temperatures on either of the absolute (K or R) scales. The program will report temperatures that equate to below absolute zero as an error.
- Scales and Symbols:
F = Degrees Fahrenheit
C = Degrees Celsius
K = Degrees Kelvin (kelvins) = C degrees above absolute zero
R = Degrees Rankine = F degrees above absolute zero - First, the K-scale equivalent of the given temperature is computed according to whichever one of the following formulas apply.
- Then, the K-scale temperature value equivalents on the other three scales are computed according to the following formulas.
- At the value of −40 degrees, the Celsius and Fahrenheit scales are numerically identical. In other words, −40 C is exactly equal to −40 F, so that one set of interconversion formulas between the C and F scales could be expressed as:
The ratio of Celsius to Fahrenheit degrees is 5 to 9. This means that a temperature difference of 5 degrees on the Celsius scale is equivalent to a difference of exactly 9 degrees on the Fahrenheit scale. This is the origin of the ratios 5/9 and 9/5 we see in the interconversion formulas above.
NOTES ON THE TEMPERATURE SCALES
-
F = Fahrenheit scale
Invented by the German-Dutch physicist Gabriel Daniel Fahrenheit in 1724.
It is based on the difference between the freezing and boiling points of water being divided into 180 degrees.
Ideal freezing point of water = 32 F
Ideal boiling point of water = 212 F
-
C = Celsius scale
Invented by Swedish astronomer Anders Celsius in 1742.
It is based on the difference between the freezing and boiling points of water being divided into 100 degrees.
Ideal freezing point of water = 0 C
Ideal boiling point of water = 100 C
-
K = Kelvin scale
Named after the British mathematician and physicist William Thomson Kelvin, who first proposed it in 1848.
It is commonly used in general scientific computations and is generally referred to as the absolute temperature scale.
The absolute temperature scale is measured in Celsius degrees above the absolute zero point.
Absolute zero refers to the theoretical temperature at which molecular energy is at a minimum or, theoretically, the lowest possible temperature in nature.
By definition, on the K scale, there can be no such thing as a negative temperature value, so all absolute K-scale temperatures will be positive values.
Ideal freezing point of water = 273.15 K
Ideal boiling point of water = 373.15 K
-
R = Rankine scale Named after the Scottish engineer and physicist William John Macquorn Rankine, who first proposed it in 1859.
It is also an absolute temperature scale similar to the K scale, but instead, measured in degrees Fahrenheit above the absolute zero point.
Also, as on the absolute K scale, on the R scale, there can be no such thing as a negative temperature value. All absolute R-scale temperatures will be positive values.
Ideal freezing point of water = 491.67 R
Ideal boiling point of water = 671.67 R
-
Absolute zero equivalents
0.00 K = 0.00 R = −273.15 C = −459.67 F