What Temperature Is It?

Temperature is a measure of how hot or cold something is, and it affects us in all kind of ways. Whether it’s the weather, the water we swim in, or the food on our plates, temperature can make all the difference when it comes to our comfort and safety. Here, we take a closer look at what temperature is, how it works, and why it’s so important to our lives.

What Is Temperature?

Temperature is a measure of how much thermal energy, or heat, is present in a material or environment. It is measured on the Celsius scale (°C), which is the standard in most of the world, as well as the Fahrenheit scale (°F) in the United States. The Celsius scale starts at 0° – the freezing point of water – and increases to 100°, the boiling point of water. The Fahrenheit scale starts at 32° for water’s freezing point and increases to 212° for water’s boiling point.

The Heat-Transfer Process

Heat transfers from a warmer object to a cooler object, and this transfer is always from hotter to colder temperatures. Heat is measured in joules, or energy, and it can be moved from one object to another in three ways: radiation, conduction, and convection.

Radiation is heat transfer by light waves. For example, a stovetop burner is hot because of the radiation it emits. Conduction is the transfer of heat through a material by direct contact – heat moves through solid objects by direct contact with the hot surface. For example, the handle of a skillet on the stovetop burner is hot due to conduction. Finally, convection is the transfer of heat by moving hot materials inside a fluid or gas. For example, a fan blowing air in a room is an example of convection.

Why Temperature Matters

Temperature and heat have a huge effect on everything from meteorological and physical phenomena to human life. Temperature plays a major role in the environment, from weather formation and storms to the water cycle. It affects the ingredients we use for cooking and baking, from the sweetness of sugar to the crispness of vegetables. It also has a big impact on us – from body temperature to bathing and showering in hot or cold water.

Temperature is an important factor in the comfort and safety of our everyday lives. But it’s important to respect the power of temperature and heat in order to avoid accidents and physical harm.