Thermal Systems Station

Math Module 3.1

Temperature Units and

ConversionsCreated by Leecy Wise and Caitlyn Reese, © Unlimited Learning, Inc.

2015

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We measure temperature in our daily lives when we discuss the weather or baking recipes, when we plant in the spring, or

prepare for the winter.

Temperature

Temperature is also a very important measurement in health fields. For

example, health workers must measure body temperature to

determine how sick a patient may be, and what that patient may be infected

with.

Mr. Graham has a fever. His temperature is 102 degrees.

Here are some examples of temperature in healthcare:

This room is 65 degrees, which is too cold for this patient after surgery.

Mr. Smith is recovering well from his illness: his temperature is back down to 98 degrees.

In this module, we will look at two units for measuring temperature: Fahrenheit and

Celsius. Then you will learn how to convert from one

system to the other.Note: The word “degrees” in

both systems is represented by this symbol:

75°The degree symbol always goes after the number but

before the unit of temperature

(Celsius or Fahrenheit)

Celsius (°Fahrenheit (°

C)

F)

In the early 1700’s, Gabriel Fahrenheit (who lived from 1686-1736) created the Fahrenheit scale.

These two points were the anchors for his scale, meaning that the size of each degree on the scale was found based on the difference between these two points.

The Fahrenheit Scale

Fahrenheit chose to base his temperature scale on the characteristics of water. He chose to

make the freezing point of water 32°and the boiling point of water 212°

Later in that century, around 1743, Anders Celsius (lived from1701-1744) invented the Celsius scale.

In fact, the Celsius scale is known as a “Universal System Unit,” meaning that it is used in science and in most countries throughout the world.

The Celsius Scale

Using the same anchor points, he thought the freezing temperature of water should be 0 °

and the boiling temperature should be 100°(which a lot of people thought made a little more sense!)

What is Temperature?Before we go any further, let’s talk about what

temperature is actually measuring.

(Atoms are microscopic particles that act as building blocks for all objects. Atoms then bind together to form larger building blocks called molecules.)

Every object in the universe (including your body!) is made up of

atoms and molecules

And believe it or not, every atom is ALWAYS moving! (Yes, even in solid objects, they are at least vibrating.)

Greg L at the English language Wikipedia

What is Temperature?

Temperature is actually the average energy associated with movement of atoms and molecules.

Okay, here it is!

Basically what this means is that the

warmer the temperature, the

faster the atoms and molecules are

moving:

Low temperature (low energy)

Room temperature (moderate energy)

High temperature (high energy)

As you enter a health career, it will be

essential that you are able to convert

temperatures from one system to the other

Okay, now that we have talked about the definition of temperature, and the two main systems used to

measure it, let’s talk about conversions

You probably remember from earlier that both the Celsius and Fahrenheit systems use the same

anchors for reference points: the freezing and boiling temperatures of water.

The following chart gives you an idea of how temperatures in the two systems compare. The actual

temperature is the same, of course, but it is expressed differently:

o F o CWater boils 212 100

Room Temperature 72 23

Water Freezes 32 0

Sometimes you may hear the term “centigrade” used instead of Celsius, but they are still the same thing!

Here is another chart that shows some more interesting comparisons (some are estimates):

Description °C °FWater boils 100 212

Hot Bath 40 104Body

temperature 37 98.6

Beach weather 30 86Room

temperature 21.1 70

Cool Day 12.8 55Freezing point of

water 0 32

Very Cold Day -17.8 0

Notice how the range of temperatures in

Fahrenheit is WIDE, while Celsius is very NARROW.

For this reason it is common to have to use

decimals in Celsius, but in Fahrenheit we usually

don’t need them.

For more interesting comparisons, check out this interactive thermometer by clicking on the link below:

http://www.mathsisfun.com/measure/thermometer.html

As you saw in the table, 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (98.60 F) or 37 degrees Celsius

(370 C) is considered to be normal body temperature.

In general, a fever is defined as having a temperature of at least 101.40 F (or 380 C).

A fever of 1050 F (or 40.60 C) can actually lead to brain damage.

In the lab station, you learned about all of the thermoregulatory mechanisms that the body constantly uses to maintain this temperature.

Unfortunately though, converting between Fahrenheit and Celsius

is not really as easy as other conversions you may have learned.

Each direction has a specific equation

that you must use to complete the conversion…

The process for converting in one direction is exactly opposite of the process for going in the other direction!

Equations for converting between Fahrenheit and

CelsiusDirection Equation Translation

°F to °C °C = (°F – 32) x 5/9

Subtract 32, then multiply by 5, then

divide by 9

°C to °F °F = °C x 9/5 + 32

Multiply by 9, then divide by 5, then add 32

Did you notice anything?

Fahrenheit to CelsiusLet’s look at an example:

Mild hypothermia begins to set in when body temperature drops lower than 95 0 F

What is 950 F in 0 C?

Let’s start with our equation for 0 F to 0 C: o C = (o F – 32) x 5/9

Step 1: Subtract 32 95

Step 2: Multiply by 5

Step 3: Divide by 9 35 0 C

– 32 = 63

63 x 5 = 315

315÷ 9 =

Let’s try it. Convert the following temperatures in Fahrenheit to Celsius. Round to one decimal place. Write your answers on your Lesson Answer Sheet, then click to

check your work.

140 o F = ______ o C

25 o F = ______ o C

–14 o F = ______ o C

357 o F = ______ o C

Remember: o C = (o F – 32) x 5/9

Okay, try these:

140 o F = 60 o C

25 o F = -3.9 o C

–14 o F = -25.6 o C

358 o F = 181.1 o C

Check your answers. Cross out any wrong answers and correct them on your answer sheet.

Celsius to FahrenheitHere’s an example:

A fever is considered dangerously high whenever it reaches 40 0 C or more.

What is 400 C in 0 F?

Let’s start with our equation for 0 C to 0 F: o F = o C x 9/5 + 32

Step 1: Multiply by 9 40

Step 2: Divde by 5

Step 3: Add 32 104 0 F

x 9 = 360

360 ÷ 5 = 72

72 + 32 =

Alright, ready? Convert the following temperatures in Celsius to Fahrenheit. Round to one decimal place. Write your answers on your Lesson Answer Sheet, then click to

check your work.

15 o C = ______ o F

67 o C = ______ o F

–8 o C = ______ o F

190 o C = ______ o F

Remember: o F = o C x 9/5 + 32

Okay here you go:

15 o C = 59 o F

67 o C = 152.6 o F

–8 o C = 17.6 o F

190 o C = 374 o F

Check your answers. Cross out any wrong answers and correct them on your answer sheet.

Review and PracticeTurn in your Lesson Answer Sheet to your coach. Then complete the following worksheet (you should have a print out of it):

› Fahrenheit, Celsius, and Conversions

Once you complete the worksheet, ask your coach for the answer key and correct your work. Don’t worry, you’ll only be graded for completion on this part.

CONGRATULATIONS!You now have a good

introduction to temperature units and

conversions!

Ready to take the quiz?