lämpötilajärjestelmä

A lämpötilajärjestelmä, or temperature system, refers to the methods and scales used to measure and express temperature. In scientific and everyday contexts, temperature is typically measured using a thermometer. Several scales are in common use, each with its own reference points and divisions. The most widely used scales are Celsius, Fahrenheit, and Kelvin.

The Celsius scale, denoted by °C, is part of the metric system and is used in most countries worldwide for everyday purposes. Its reference points are the freezing point of water at 0°C and the boiling point of water at 100°C at standard atmospheric pressure.

The Fahrenheit scale, denoted by °F, is primarily used in the United States and a few other countries. On this scale, the freezing point of water is 32°F and the boiling point is 212°F at standard atmospheric pressure.

The Kelvin scale, denoted by K, is the standard unit of thermodynamic temperature in the International System of Units (SI). It is an absolute scale, meaning that 0 K represents absolute zero, the theoretical temperature at which all molecular motion ceases. The freezing point of water is 273.15 K and the boiling point is 373.15 K.

The choice of temperature system depends on the application. For scientific research and in fields like thermodynamics, the Kelvin scale is preferred due to its absolute nature. For everyday use, Celsius is the most common, while Fahrenheit remains in use in certain regions. Conversions between these scales are possible using specific mathematical formulas, allowing for consistent understanding and communication of temperature data across different systems.