Temperatuurranges

Temperatuurranges refers to the span of temperatures over which a material, organism, process, or device maintains proper function or viability. Typically reported as a minimum and maximum value, together with an optimal or preferred subrange within them, these ranges are measured in Celsius, Fahrenheit, or Kelvin. These ranges help compare performance under different conditions and guide design, storage, and environmental control.

Types of ranges include survival or tolerance ranges, where survival is possible only within certain limits; operational or functional ranges, within which performance remains acceptable; and optimal or preferred ranges, where efficiency or quality is highest.

In biology and ecology, temperature ranges influence where species occur, when they grow or reproduce, and how their metabolism proceeds. Most organisms exhibit cardinal temperatures—minimum, optimum, and maximum.

Humans maintain a narrow core body temperature near 36.5–37.5 C, while crops and livestock have broader growth ranges that dictate cultivation conditions.

In engineering and materials science, equipment, components, and substances are rated for operating and storage temperature ranges, with excursions beyond limits risking failure or degradation.

Determination relies on experiments, field data, and manufacturer specifications, and ranges can depend on related factors such as humidity, pressure, and rate of temperature change.