Temperature Conversion Formulas

Temperature is referring to how hot or cold something is. Temperatures are usually represented in some quantity using some units. The same temperature has different readings on the three temperature scales, which are – Fahrenheit, Celsius, and Kelvin. In this article, the students will learn a lot about the various temperature scales and temperature conversion formulas for one scale to another scale. Also, some examples will be given here to elaborate on the conversions. Let us begin learning!

Temperature Conversion Formulas

Why Temperature Conversion is Required?

Temperature conversion refers to changing the value of temperature from one scale unit to another. It is required so that we can compare various temperature values on a common platform. There are many temperature conversion methods. Among them, Kelvin, Celsius, and Fahrenheit are the most commonly used methods.

According to the Kelvin scale, the freezing point of water is 273.15K and the boiling point is 373.15K. According to the Fahrenheit scale, the freezing point of water is 32° F and the boiling point is 212 ° F. Hence to the Celsius scale, the freezing point of water is 0° C and the boiling point is 100°C.

Therefore, there can be three main conversions of temperature which are:

• The Conversion between Celsius and Kelvin
• Conversion between Fahrenheit and Kelvin
• Conversion between Celsius and Fahrenheit

Various Temperature Conversion Formulas

(1) Conversion of Temperature between Celsius unit and Kelvin unit:

The temperature conversion formula from the Celsius unit to Kelvin unit is:

K= C+ 273.15

The temperature conversion formula from the Kelvin unit to the Celsius unit is:

C= K-273.15

Where,

C	The temperature in Celsius scale
K	The temperature in Kelvin scale

(2) Conversion of Temperature between Fahrenheit unit and Celsius unit:

The temperature conversion formula from Fahrenheit unit to the Celsius unit is:

\(C= (F-32) X \frac{5}{9}\)

The Temperature Conversion Formula from Celsius unit to Fahrenheit unit is:

\(F = C X \frac{9}{5} +32\)

Where,

C	The temperature in Celsius scale
F	The temperature in Fahrenheit scale

 (3) Conversion of Temperature between Fahrenheit unit and Kelvin unit:

The Temperature Conversion Formula from Fahrenheit unit to Kelvin unit is:

\(K= (F-32) \times \frac{5}{9} + 273.15\)

The Temperature Conversion Formula from Kelvin unit to Fahrenheit unit is:

\(F= (K-273.15)  \times \frac{9}{5} +32\)

Where,

F	The temperature in Fahrenheit scale
K	The temperature in the Kelvin scale

Solved Examples

Q.1: What is temperature 30° C on the Kelvin scale?

Solution: As given C = 30° C

The temperature conversion formula from Celsius to Kelvin unit is,

K = C + 273.15 = 30 + 273.15 K

K = 303.15

Therefore temperature in the Kelvin scale is 303.15 K.

Q.2: Convert the temperature into the scale of Celsius, which is 375 K on the Kelvin scale. Solution: As given K = 375 K.

Solution: The temperature conversion formula from Kelvin to Celsius is,

C= K-273.15 = 375- 273.15

i.c. C = 101.85

Therefore temperature in Celsius is 101.85° C.

Q.3: Convert the temperature 98.6° Fahrenheit which is normal body temperature to Celsius scale.

Solution: As given in the question,

F = 98.6°F

Formula for conversion to Celsius, formula is

\(C= (F-32) \times \frac{5}{9}\)

Putting the known values,

\(C= (98.6-32) \times \frac{5}{9}\)

i.e. \(C =66.6 \times \frac {5}{9}\)

i.e. C= 37 ° C

Therefore normal body temperature in Celsius  is 37° C.