Time and Temperature - Temperature Scales in Celsius and Fahrenheit

Temperature is the measure of how hot or cold a body or an object is. It is measured using an instrument called a thermometer, which typically looks like a glass tube with a bulb at the bottom containing mercury that expands and rises as it gets warmer.

There are two primary scales used to measure temperature: the Celsius scale (denoted as $^\circ C$) and the Fahrenheit scale (denoted as $^\circ F$).

On the Celsius scale, the freezing point of water is defined as $0^\circ C$ and the boiling point of water is $100^\circ C$. The distance between these two points is divided into $100$ equal parts.

On the Fahrenheit scale, the freezing point of water is $32^\circ F$ and the boiling point of water is $212^\circ F$. The interval between these two fixed points is divided into $180$ equal parts ($212 - 32 = 180$).

A clinical thermometer is specifically used to measure human body temperature. It usually has a scale ranging from $35^\circ C$ to $42^\circ C$ or $94^\circ F$ to $108^\circ F$. The normal temperature of a healthy human body is $37^\circ C$ or $98.6^\circ F$.

When reading a thermometer, you must look at the top level of the mercury column. Imagine a vertical number line where the height of the liquid indicates the specific degree of heat present.

To compare the two scales, remember that $0^\circ C$ is equivalent to $32^\circ F$, and $100^\circ C$ is equivalent to $212^\circ F$. This shows that the Fahrenheit scale starts at a higher numerical value for the same level of coldness.