Temperature
Conversions
By
Jenn Faust
Liz Clay
What is temperature?
Most people think of temperature as being
hot or cold
 It is actually the average speed of air
molecules
 Temperature is measured by a
thermometer

Types of Temperature Scales
Fahrenheit is the most common measure
we use in the U.S.
 Celsius is the metric standard
 Kelvin is used in the scientific world

Fahrenheit to Celsius

To go from degrees Fahrenheit to degrees
Celsius, use the formula
ºCelsius = (ºFahrenheit - 32) x 5/9
Celsius to Fahrenheit

To convert degrees Celsius to degrees
Fahrenheit, use this formula:
ºFahrenheit = (ºCelsius x 9/5) + 32
Celsius to Kelvin



In order to convert to Kelvin, the temperature
must first be in degrees Celsius.
If the temperature is in degrees Fahrenheit,
convert it to degrees Celsius.
Next use the formula:
ºCelsius + 273 = Kelvin

Kelvin does NOT use the degrees symbol, only
K units
Remember…
Always use significant
figures in temperature
conversions!!!
Example for Fahrenheit to Celsius
A pot of water is 92° Fahrenheit. What is the
temperature in Celsius?
Use the formula
(ºFahrenheit - 32) x 5/9 = ºCelsius
Substitute the 92°F in for ºFahrenheit
(92°F- 32) x 5/9 = ºCelsius
60 x 5/9 = ºCelsius)
33 = ºCelsius
The pot of water is 33 ºC.
Example for Celsius to Kelvin
It is 23°C in a room, what is the temperature in
Kelvin?
Use the formula
ºCelsius + 273 = Kelvin
Use 23°C for °Celsius
23ºC + 273 = Kelvin
300 = Kelvin
The temperature is 300 K.
Example for Fahrenheit to Kelvin
If the temperature of a human body is 98.6º F,

what is the temperature in Kelvin?
Since it is impossible to go directly from
Fahrenheit to Kelvin, convert 98.6 ºF to ºCelsius
using the formula
ºCelsius = (ºFahrenheit - 32) x 5/9
ºCelsius = (98.6ºF - 32) x 5/9
ºCelsius = 66.6 x 5/9
37.0 = ºCelsius
(continued)
Continued

Next, convert Celsius to Kelvin, using the
formula
ºCelsius + 273 = Kelvin
37.0ºC + 273 = Kelvin
310 = Kelvin
The human body is 310 K.
Quiz Time!
It is 22ºC in a room. What is the temperature
in Fahrenheit?
a. -5.55ºF
b. 71.6ºF
c. 295ºF
d. 65.9ºF
Oops… Try Again!
Remember
 ºFahrenheit
= (ºCelsius x 9/5) + 32
 Use algebra correctly
 Remember significant figures!
Go Back
Good Job!

You used the correct formula
ºFahrenheit = (ºCelsius x 9/5) + 32
Now try another problem…
Question 2
The temperature of a pot of water is 89ºC.
What is the temperature in Kelvin?
a. 362 K
b. -184 K
c. 121 K
d. 203 K
Oops… Try Again!
 Remember
 To
go from Celsius to Kelvin, add 273
 Be careful with your algebra!
Go Back
Good Job!
 You
used the correct formula
ºCelsius + 273 = Kelvin
Now try one more problem…
Question 3

A system has a temperature of 43ºF. What
is the temperature of the system in Kelvin?
a. 316 K
b. 210 K
c. 92 K
d. 280 K
Oops… Try Again!

Remember to first convert Fahrenheit
temperatures to Celsius
ºCelsius = (ºFahrenheit - 32) x 5/9

Next, convert the Celsius temperature to
Kelvin
ºCelsius + 273 = Kelvin

Remember significant figures!
Go Back
Good Job!
You’re finished!!!