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[[Category:Units of temperature]]

[[Category:Units of temperature]]

To understand the absolute temperature scales one must understand the conventional scales for meanuring temperature. In the US temperature is measured using the Fahrenheit(SP?)scale. In the vast majority of the rest of the world temperature is measured using the Celsius scale. The Celsiius temperature scale was set up using the freezing point of water as the zero (0) point and the boiling point of water as the 100 point for the scale. How the Fahrenheit scale was set up is unknown to the writer.  

To understand the absolute temperature scales one must understand the conventional scales for meanuring temperature. In the US, temperature is measured using the Fahrenheit scale. In the vast majority of the rest of the world temperature is measured using the Celsius scale. The Celsiius temperature scale was set up using the freezing point of water as the zero (0) point and the boiling point of water as the 100 point for the scale. How the Fahrenheit scale was set up is unknown to the writer.  

However, the two scales are still in general use today throughout the world. If one wants to make a coparison between the two scales that is how to convert the temperature measurement value in one scale to the other is possible by means of a simple equation.  

However, these two scales are still in general use today throughout the world. If one wants to make a coparison between the two scales that is how to convert the temperature measurement value in one scale to the other is possible by means of a simple equation.  

This equation is:°F = 9/5 °C + 32. That is to say the temperture in Faharenheit is equial to 9/5 times the value in Celsius plus the constant 32.  

This equation is:°F = 9/5 °C + 32. That is to say the temperture in Faharenheit is equial to 9/5 times the temperature value in Celsius plus the constant 32.  

If one wants to convert °C to °F the algebraic manupilation of the equation yields the following equation:

If one wants to convert °C to °F the algebraic manupilation of the equation yields the following equation:

°F = 1.8 °C + 32, and °C = (°F-32) / 1.8.  

°F = 1.8 °C + 32, and °C = (°F-32) / 1.8.  

With the foregoing in mind we can now turn to the concept of the Absolute Semperature Scales. This has been written in the plural since there are actually TWO Absolute Semperature Scales.  

With the foregoing in mind, we can now turn to the concept of the Absolute Semperature Scales. This has been written in the plural since there are actually TWO Absolute Semperature Scales.  

Many years Chemists and Physicists working with gasses came to realize that the conventional temperature scales were not adequate for characterizing the effect of temperature on the decrease in volume and pressure of gases with the corresponding decrease in their actual temperature. This became evident because in trying to calsulate the decrease or increase in volume and pressure they were not able to accurately make the calculation using the conventional temperature scale.  

Many years ago Chemists and Physicists working with gasses came to realize that the conventional temperature scales were not adequate for characterizing the effect of temperature on the decrease in volume and pressure of gases with the corresponding decrease in the actual temperature of the gases. This became evident because in trying to calsulate the decrease or increase in volume and pressure with changing temperature they were not able to accurately make the calculation using the conventional temperature scale.  

Ultimately they realized that if they could decrease the temperatue of an ideal gas to a point where all molecular motion ceased that would be ABSOLUTE ZERO. They found that such temperature would be a value of -273.16°C. For the Faharenheit scale that value would be a value of -459.6°F.

Ultimately they realized that if they could decrease the temperatue of an ideal gas to a point where all molecular motion ceased that would be ABSOLUTE ZERO. They found that such temperature would be a value of -273.16°C. For the Faharenheit scale that value would be a value of -459.6°F.

Thus the melting point of water would be 0°C plus 273.16 or +273.16°K. That temperatue is called Kelvin or degrees Kelvin. Likewise the boiling point of water will be 100°C plus 273.16 or +373.16°K.

Thus the melting point of water would be 0°C plus 273.16 or +273.16°K. That temperatue is called Kelvin or degrees Kelvin. Likewise the boiling point of water will be 100°C plus 273.16 or +373.16°K.

The Faharenheit scale also has its complementary absolute temperature scale called the Rankin Scale. Thus the freezing point of water would be 32°F + 459.6 of +491.6°R and the boiling point of water would be 212°F + 459.6 of +671.6°R.  

The Faharenheit scale also has its complementary absolute temperature scale called the Rankin Scale. Thus the freezing point of water would be 32°F + 459.6 or +491.6°R and the boiling point of water would be 212°F + 459.6 or +671.6°R.  

There is other history about the development of all four of these temperatur scales and anyone who has more information that what has been presented here is free to add to this of modify it within the bounds of peer review. P.H. Metallurgical Engineer.  

There is other history about the development of all four of these temperature scales and anyone who has more information about what has been presented here is free to add to this of modify it within the bounds of peer review. P.H. Metallurgical Engineer.  

An interesting little exercise for the reader is to determine at what temperature point the two conventional temperature scales are equal. That is to say at what temperature value are °C = °F. All the information to make that determination/calculation are contained in the foregoing information.

An interesting little exercise for the reader is to determine at what temperature point the two conventional temperature scales are equal. That is to say, at what temperature value are °C = °F. All the information to make that determination/calculation are contained in the foregoing information. Hint: For those who have had high school algebra all one has to do is develop two equations for the two (actually one) unknown temperatue values.