Celsiusskala

The Celsius scale, also known as the centigrade scale, is a widely used temperature scale. It designates 0°C as the freezing point of water and 100°C as the boiling point of water at standard atmospheric pressure (1 atm). Named after the Swedish astronomer Anders Celsius, the scale was developed in the 18th century and was later reformulated to its present form. It is a central element of the metric system and is used in science, industry, meteorology, and everyday life.

The Celsius scale is closely linked to the Kelvin scale; temperature differences are the same in both systems, with the relation T(K) = T(°C) + 273.15. Absolute zero corresponds to 0 K and −273.15°C. The fixed points at standard pressure provide practical calibration references for thermometers. While Celsius is used almost everywhere, some countries still rely on Fahrenheit for everyday weather reports or certain applications, though scientific contexts commonly use Celsius.

In practice, temperatures are reported with varying precision, and scientific communications often specify the reference conditions or uncertainty. The Celsius scale is defined within the International System of Units through its connection to the Kelvin, underscoring its role as the practical, widely adopted temperature scale in daily life and most scientific work.