The freezing point of Mercury is -39 degree Celsius. What does this temperature correspond to in the Fahrenheit scale?
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
To convert the freezing point of Mercury from Celsius to Fahrenheit, we use the formula:
F = (C × 9/5) + 32
Where:
F = temperature in Fahrenheit
C = temperature in Celsius
Given:
C = -39°C
Substitute into the formula:
F = (-39 × 9/5) + 32
F = (-70.2) + 32
F = -38.2°F
Final Answer:
The freezing point of Mercury is -38.2°F.
Explanation:
Temperature conversions are essential in science, especially when comparing measurements from different countries or disciplines. Most countries use the Celsius scale, while the United States and a few others primarily use the Fahrenheit scale.
The Celsius scale is based on the freezing point of water at 0°C and boiling point at 100°C under standard atmospheric pressure. The Fahrenheit scale sets the freezing point of water at 32°F and boiling point at 212°F. Because the two scales have different zero points and increments, converting between them requires both a scaling factor and an adjustment.
The conversion formula derives from the relationship between the two scales. For every degree Celsius, there are 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit, which is represented as 9/5 in the formula. The +32 adjustment aligns the freezing point of water in Fahrenheit with its corresponding Celsius value.
In this problem, Mercury freezes at -39°C, which is slightly below the freezing point of water. Mercury is a liquid metal, and its freezing point is much lower than water’s, making it suitable for use in thermometers exposed to cold environments. After applying the conversion formula, the equivalent temperature is -38.2°F. Interestingly, the Celsius and Fahrenheit scales give almost identical values near this temperature, which happens close to -40 degrees where the two scales intersect.
Thus, understanding this conversion helps compare temperatures across different systems and provides insight into the unique physical properties of substances like Mercury
