There are three main temperature scales used today. The Fahrenheit scale was developed by Gabriel Fahrenheit in 1724. On his scale, Fahrenheit measured the freezing point of water as 32 degrees and the boiling point as 212 degrees. The Fahrenheit scale is mainly used in the United States. The Celsius scale is based on a scale created by Carolus Linnaeus in 1745. This scale is based on the number 100, with 0 degrees marking the freezing point of water and 100 degrees the boiling point. The Celsius scale is now the most widely used temperature scale in the world. The Kelvin scale, used mostly by scientists and engineers, is very similar to the Celsius scale. Kelvins have the same increments as Celsius degrees: Water freezes at 273.15 K and boils at 373.15 K.

Question

There are three main temperature scales used today. The Fahrenheit scale was developed by Gabriel Fahrenheit in 1724. On his scale, Fahrenheit measured the freezing point of water as 32 degrees and the boiling point as 212 degrees. The Fahrenheit scale is mainly used in the United States. The Celsius scale is based on a scale created by Carolus Linnaeus in 1745. This scale is based on the number 100, with 0 degrees marking the freezing point of water and 100 degrees the boiling point. The Celsius scale is now the most widely used temperature scale in the world. The Kelvin scale, used mostly by scientists and engineers, is very similar to the Celsius scale. Kelvins have the same increments as Celsius degrees: Water freezes at 273.15 K and boils at 373.15 K.

Which of these describes a similarity between the Kelvin and Celsius scales?

A

Neither scale is based on the boiling point of water.

B

Both scales are based on Gabriel Fahrenheit’s system.

C

Water boils at 100 degrees and freezes at 273.15 degrees on both scales.

D

On both scales, water’s freezing and boiling points are 100 increments apart.

Answer 1

C

Water boils at 100 degrees and freezes at 273.15 degrees on both scales.