About

Thermodynamic precision remains a cornerstone of chemical engineering and meteorological analysis. Accurate translation between thermal scales ensures the integrity of scientific data and the safety of industrial machinery. Engineers often work with the Kelvin scale for absolute thermodynamic temperature while technicians may rely on Fahrenheit or Celsius for environmental control systems. This utility provides rigorous conversion across these standards without rounding errors that could compromise sensitive thermal calculations. It accounts for the specific offset values and scaling factors inherent to each system.

Formulas

Temperature conversion involves linear transformations using specific scaling factors and zero-point offsets. The relationship between Celsius and Fahrenheit is derived from the freezing and boiling points of water.

Celsius to Fahrenheit:

T_°F = T_°C × 95 + 32

Celsius to Kelvin:

T_K = T_°C + 273.15

Fahrenheit to Rankine:

T_°R = T_°F + 459.67

These formulas assume standard atmospheric pressure where applicable. The constants 273.15 and 459.67 represent the absolute zero offset for Celsius and Fahrenheit respectively.

Reference Data

Reference Point	Celsius (°C)	Fahrenheit (°F)	Kelvin (K)	Rankine (°R)
Absolute Zero	-273.15	-459.67	0	0
Boiling Point of Helium	-268.93	-452.07	4.22	7.60
Boiling Point of Hydrogen	-252.87	-423.17	20.28	36.50
Boiling Point of Nitrogen	-195.8	-320.4	77.35	139.2
Sublimation Point of Dry Ice	-78.5	-109.3	194.65	350.37
Freezing Point of Mercury	-38.83	-37.89	234.32	421.78
Freezing Point of Water	0	32	273.15	491.67
Triple Point of Water	0.01	32.018	273.16	491.688
Standard Room Temperature	20	68	293.15	527.67
Human Body Temperature (Avg)	37	98.6	310.15	558.27
Highest Recorded Earth Temp	56.7	134.1	329.85	593.77
Boiling Point of Ethanol	78.37	173.1	351.52	632.74
Boiling Point of Water	100	212	373.15	671.67
Melting Point of Lead	327.5	621.5	600.65	1081.17
Melting Point of Aluminum	660.3	1220.5	933.45	1680.17
Melting Point of Gold	1064	1947	1337	2407
Surface of the Sun (Photosphere)	5505	9941	5778	10401

Frequently Asked Questions

Kelvin is an absolute thermodynamic temperature scale. It starts at absolute zero, the point at which all thermal motion ceases. Unlike Celsius or Fahrenheit which are relative scales defined by arbitrary points like the freezing of water, Kelvin measures the actual amount of thermal energy. Therefore, it is referred to simply as Kelvin (K), not degrees Kelvin.

In classical thermodynamics, temperatures below absolute zero (0 K, -273.15 °C) are impossible because temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of particles. Zero kinetic energy is the minimum limit. However, certain quantum systems can exhibit properties that are mathematically described as negative absolute temperatures, though this refers to energy state distribution rather than physical coldness.

Both are absolute temperature scales where zero represents absolute zero. The difference lies in the increment size. One unit of Kelvin is equal in magnitude to one degree Celsius. Conversely, one degree Rankine is equal in magnitude to one degree Fahrenheit. Engineers in the United States often use Rankine for thermodynamic cycles involving Fahrenheit units.

Yes. The relationship is strictly linear. The interval between freezing and boiling water is 100 degrees in Celsius and 180 degrees in Fahrenheit. This creates a precise ratio of 5:9. Combined with the 32-degree offset, the conversion produces exact decimal values without irrational numbers.

The triple point of water is the specific temperature and pressure where water can coexist simultaneously as a gas, liquid, and solid. It is used to define the Kelvin scale. The triple point is defined as exactly 273.16 K (0.01 °C), providing a more precise standard anchor than the melting point of ice.