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Measurement - Measurement of Temperature

Grade 7ICSE

Review the key concepts, formulae, and examples before starting your quiz.

🔑Concepts

Temperature is defined as the degree of hotness or coldness of a body. It is a scalar quantity.

The SI unit of temperature is the Kelvin (K\text{K}). Other commonly used units are degree Celsius (C^{\circ}\text{C}) and degree Fahrenheit (F^{\circ}\text{F}).

A thermometer works on the principle of thermal expansion of liquids (usually Mercury or Alcohol).

The Lower Fixed Point (LFP) is the temperature at which pure ice melts at standard atmospheric pressure. For Celsius, it is 0C0^{\circ}\text{C}; for Fahrenheit, it is 32F32^{\circ}\text{F}.

The Upper Fixed Point (UFP) is the temperature at which pure water boils at standard atmospheric pressure. For Celsius, it is 100C100^{\circ}\text{C}; for Fahrenheit, it is 212F212^{\circ}\text{F}.

Clinical Thermometers are used to measure human body temperature. They have a range from 35C35^{\circ}\text{C} to 42C42^{\circ}\text{C} and contain a 'kink' (constriction) to prevent the immediate backflow of mercury.

Laboratory Thermometers are used for scientific experiments and usually have a range from 10C-10^{\circ}\text{C} to 110C110^{\circ}\text{C}. They do not have a kink.

Absolute Zero is the theoretical temperature at which molecular motion ceases, equivalent to 0 K0\text{ K} or 273C-273^{\circ}\text{C}.

📐Formulae

C100=F32180\frac{C}{100} = \frac{F - 32}{180}

C5=F329\frac{C}{5} = \frac{F - 32}{9}

K=C+273K = C + 273

F=(95×C)+32F = \left( \frac{9}{5} \times C \right) + 32

💡Examples

Problem 1:

Convert the normal human body temperature, 37C37^{\circ}\text{C}, into the Fahrenheit scale.

Solution:

Using the formula: F=(95×C)+32F = (\frac{9}{5} \times C) + 32 F=(95×37)+32F = (\frac{9}{5} \times 37) + 32 F=(9×7.4)+32F = (9 \times 7.4) + 32 F=66.6+32F = 66.6 + 32 F=98.6FF = 98.6^{\circ}\text{F}

Explanation:

To convert from Celsius to Fahrenheit, we multiply the Celsius value by 95\frac{9}{5} and then add 3232.

Problem 2:

If the temperature of an object is 313 K313\text{ K}, what is its temperature in Celsius?

Solution:

Using the formula: K=C+273K = C + 273 313=C+273313 = C + 273 C=313273C = 313 - 273 C=40CC = 40^{\circ}\text{C}

Explanation:

To find the Celsius temperature from Kelvin, subtract 273273 from the Kelvin value.

Problem 3:

At what temperature are the Celsius and Fahrenheit scales equal?

Solution:

Let the temperature be xx. Using x5=x329\frac{x}{5} = \frac{x - 32}{9} 9x=5(x32)9x = 5(x - 32) 9x=5x1609x = 5x - 160 4x=1604x = -160 x=40x = -40

Explanation:

By setting C=F=xC = F = x in the conversion formula, we find that at 40-40^{\circ}, both scales show the same numerical value.