Formula – Fahrenheit to Celsius Conversion

Temperature is a critical physical quantity that helps us determine the amount of heat present in a substance or environment. There are several temperature scales in use worldwide, including the Fahrenheit, Celsius, and Kelvin scales. The Fahrenheit scale was invented by a German physicist named Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit in 1724. It is primarily used in the United States, while the Celsius scale is used in most other countries. In this blog post, we will discuss the Fahrenheit to Celsius formula, along with an explanation of each term involved.

Fahrenheit to Celsius Formula:

The Fahrenheit to Celsius formula is used to convert temperatures from the Fahrenheit scale to the Celsius scale. The formula is given as:

C = (F - 32) * 5/9

Where:

• C is the temperature in Celsius
• F is the temperature in Fahrenheit

To use this formula, you need to subtract 32 from the Fahrenheit temperature and multiply the result by 5/9. The resulting number is the temperature in Celsius.

Explanation of Each Terms

• Fahrenheit: The Fahrenheit scale is a temperature scale that is based on the freezing and boiling points of water. On this scale, the freezing point of water is 32°F, and the boiling point is 212°F. It was invented by Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit in 1724.
• Celsius: The Celsius scale is a temperature scale that is based on the freezing and boiling points of water. On this scale, the freezing point of water is 0°C, and the boiling point is 100°C. It was invented by Anders Celsius in 1742.
• Temperature: Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in a substance or environment. It is measured using a thermometer and is expressed in degrees Celsius (°C), Fahrenheit (°F), or Kelvin (K).
• Conversion: Conversion is the process of changing the value of a physical quantity from one unit of measurement to another. In the case of temperature, it involves converting temperatures from the Fahrenheit scale to the Celsius scale or vice versa.
• Formula: A formula is a mathematical expression that describes a relationship between two or more variables. In the case of the Fahrenheit to Celsius formula, the variables are the temperature in Fahrenheit and Celsius.
• 32: 32 is a constant term in the Fahrenheit to Celsius formula. It represents the difference between the freezing points of water on the Fahrenheit and Celsius scales. On the Fahrenheit scale, the freezing point of water is 32°F, while on the Celsius scale, it is 0°C.
• 5/9: 5/9 is a constant term in the Fahrenheit to Celsius formula. It is the conversion factor used to convert Fahrenheit to Celsius. It represents the ratio of the size of a degree on the Fahrenheit scale to the size of a degree on the Celsius scale.

Examples:

Let’s take some examples to understand how to use the Fahrenheit to Celsius formula.

Example 1: Convert 68°F to Celsius

Step 1: Plug the Fahrenheit temperature into the formula.

C = (68 - 32) * 5/9

Step 2: Simplify the formula using order of operations.

Example 2: Convert 90°F to Celsius

Step 1: Plug the Fahrenheit temperature into the formula.

C = (90 - 32) * 5/9

Step 2: Simplify the formula using order of operations.

C = (58) * 5/9

C = 32.2222

Step 3: Round the answer to the nearest whole number.

Answer: 90°F is equal to 32°C.

Example 3: Convert 32°F to Celsius

Step 1: Plug the Fahrenheit temperature into the formula.

C = (32 - 32) * 5/9

Step 2: Simplify the formula using order of operations.

C = (0) * 5/9

C = 0

Step 3: Round the answer to the nearest whole number.

Answer: 32°F is equal to 0°C.

Example 4: Convert 100°F to Celsius

Step 1: Plug the Fahrenheit temperature into the formula.

C = (100 - 32) * 5/9

Step 2: Simplify the formula using order of operations.

C = (68) * 5/9

C = 37.7778

Step 3: Round the answer to the nearest whole number.

Answer: 100°F is equal to 38°C.

The Fahrenheit to Celsius formula is a simple mathematical expression that can be used to convert temperatures from the Fahrenheit scale to the Celsius scale. By understanding the formula and the terms involved, you can easily convert temperatures and understand the relationship between the Fahrenheit and Celsius scales. It’s essential to understand temperature scales and their conversions as they play a critical role in many fields, including science, engineering, and medicine.