Science
Celsius Explained: The World's Temperature Scale
An explanation of the Celsius scale, its global use in science and daily life, and why it remains a critical unit of measurement.
What is it?
The Celsius scale, also known as the centigrade scale, is a temperature scale where 0°C represents the freezing point of water and 100°C represents its boiling point at standard atmospheric pressure. It was invented by Swedish astronomer Anders Celsius in 1742. Originally, Celsius proposed an inverted scale where 100 was the freezing point and 0 was the boiling point, but this was reversed after his death to the form used today. As part of the International System of Units (SI), it is the most common temperature scale used around the world for both scientific and everyday purposes.
Why is it trending?
The Celsius scale is fundamental to scientific communication and data comparison worldwide. Its simple 100-degree interval between the freezing and boiling points of water makes it a logical choice for scientific work. The scale's importance is consistently highlighted in climate change discussions, as global temperature changes and climate models are almost universally reported in degrees Celsius. For instance, reports on global warming often reference the increase in average global temperatures in Celsius, making it a key unit for understanding our planet's health.
How does it affect people?
For most of the world's population, Celsius is the standard for daily life. It is used in weather forecasts, cooking, and for measuring body temperature. Because it is based on the properties of water, it provides an intuitive feel for temperatures; people know that temperatures below 0°C mean ice and snow, while temperatures approaching 30-40°C are considered very hot. This simple and logical system, integrated with the metric system, makes it a practical and universally understood scale for international travel, commerce, and daily communication.