Question

Why does the Fahrenheit scale use 32 degrees as a freezing point?

Asked by: Maria Ciaramitaro

 Answer

Daniel Fahrenheit did not use the freezing point of water as a basis for developing his scale. He called the temperature of an ice/salt/water mixture 'zero degrees', as this was the lowest temperature he could conveniently attain in his lab. He called his own body temperature '96 degrees', and then divided the scale into single degrees between 0 and 96. On this scale, the freezing point of pure water happens to occur at 32 (and the boiling point at 212). The Celsius scale has more convenient values for these phase transition points (0 and 100 degrees) because Anders Celsius DID use water as a basis for his scale.

Answered by: Jonathan Heath

Search

Loading



Sponsors

USC University of Southern California Dornsife College Physics and Astronomy Department McMaster University Physics and Astronomy Department

Science Quote

'Science is facts; just as houses are made of stones, so is science made of facts; but a pile of stones is not a house and a collection of facts is not necessarily science.'

Henri Poincaré
(1854-1912)

Deal of the Day

Image of Volcano Lamp. Click on this image for more info. Volcano Lamp
Regular Price: $29.99
Today's Price: $20.00
Watch this lamp create a realistic-looking volcanic display! Buy it now! Deal ends at midnight!

Top Selling

Here are our physics & astronomy bestsellers:
Solar Science Kit
Mini Plasma Ball
Glow-in-the-Dark Jar of Stars
Deluxe 3D Mirascope
Deluxe Water Rocket Set
Revolving Multi-Color Fiberoptic Light
Worlds Strongest Magnets
Solar System Planetarium 4M Kit
Potato Clock 4M Kit
Windmill Generator 4M Kit