488,072 views
36 votes
36 votes
What inspired Anders Celsius to invent a temperature scale?

User Hugerde
by
2.7k points

2 Answers

15 votes
15 votes

Final answer:

Anders Celsius developed the Celsius temperature scale to offer a simpler and more scientifically rational system than the Fahrenheit scale, basing it on the freezing and boiling points of water set at 0°C and 100°C with 100 equal intervals.

Step-by-step explanation:

Swedish astronomer Anders Celsius was inspired to invent a temperature scale to improve on the limitations of the Fahrenheit scale, which was perceived to have arbitrary definitions for temperature points. Recognizing the need for a more rational system, particularly for scientific purposes, Celsius introduced his scale in the 18th century.

The Celsius scale set the freezing point and boiling point of water at 0°C and 100°C respectively, dividing the interval between these two points into 100 equal degrees, which made it much simpler and appealing for scientific use compared to the Fahrenheit scale.

User Pagetribe
by
3.5k points
16 votes
16 votes

Answer:

Unlike other temperature scales of the time, Celsius based his on the freezing and boiling points of water, with 0° as the boiling point and 100° as the freezing point. After he died from tuberculosis in 1744, that scale was reversed, creating the scale still used today.

User Iain Rist
by
2.8k points