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°C Celsius
°F Fahrenheit
K Kelvin
°R Rankine
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Celsius and Fahrenheit?

Celsius (°C) and Fahrenheit (°F) are both temperature scales used in everyday life. Celsius is used in most of the world and is based on the freezing point (0°C) and boiling point (100°C) of water. Fahrenheit is mainly used in the United States, where water freezes at 32°F and boils at 212°F. To convert Celsius to Fahrenheit, use the formula: °F = (°C × 9/5) + 32.

What is absolute zero?

Absolute zero is the lowest possible temperature, where all molecular motion effectively stops. It equals 0 Kelvin (K), −273.15°C, or −459.67°F. The Kelvin scale starts at absolute zero and uses the same degree size as Celsius, making it the preferred scale in science and engineering. The Rankine scale also starts at absolute zero but uses Fahrenheit-sized degrees.

What is the Rankine scale used for?

The Rankine scale (°R) is a thermodynamic temperature scale that starts at absolute zero, like Kelvin, but uses the same degree increment as Fahrenheit rather than Celsius. It is mainly used in engineering fields in the United States, particularly in thermodynamics and aerospace engineering, where Fahrenheit units are preferred but an absolute temperature scale is required.