The United States uses a different system of measurement than the vast majority of the world. For the most part, they still use a variation of the old British Imperial System to measure weight. However, instead of using the ancient measurement of stones, they have modified the Imperial System to weigh in pounds. To assist in early trade in the UK, stock would be weighed in stones. For example, a bag of goods that weighed a stone would be equal to, any good-sized rock chosen as a local standard. In 1389 a royal statute, fixed the price of a stone to equal 14 pounds.
This makes international sports based on weight categories, such as boxing, confusing. A competitor may have their weight taken and announced in stones, pounds, or kilograms, depending on the country they are competing in. The US will use the modern imperial measurement of pounds and ounces, the UK uses stones, pounds, and ounces, and most of the rest of the world use kilograms, as used in the metric system.
The United States also uses Fahrenheit in contrast to the vast majority of the world. This often causes comical levels of confusion amongst tourists. For example, the US is amongst only 14 countries to use Fahrenheit. They are also one of only three countries to use the Imperial System.
This article will explain how to convert Celsius to degrees Fahrenheit. It will explain the imperial and metric systems and what the Celsius temperature scale and Fahrenheit are.
The easiest way to convert temperatures is to use an online calculator. This does all the leg work of mathematics for you. You simply need to enter the number in degrees Celsius into the calculator. Then select degrees Fahrenheit for it to be converted into - click convert and your figure will appear.
To convert Celsius to Fahrenheit quickly, you can use a simple equation. The quickest method to estimate the conversion is to times the Celsius reading by two. Then, add 30 to it to give the approximate Fahrenheit temperature. The mathematical formula is found below:
(Celsius temperature. x 2) + 30 = Fahrenheit temperature
However, you can use a precise calculation to convert Celsius to Fahrenheit accurately. To do this, multiply degrees Celsius by 1.8. Then add 32 to get the correct Fahrenheit temp. Or:
(Celsius temperature. × 1.8) + 32 = Fahrenheit temperature.
What is the imperial system?
The imperial measurement system is a traditional British system of weights, lengths, and measures. Many countries, including the United States of America, use a measurement system derived from this. This was officially established in the UK by the Weights and Measures Act of 1824. This was known as the British Imperial System. However, the routes of this stretch back much further than that.
The diversity of Britain helped develop this British system by evolving trading practices between people of different backgrounds. From the middle ages onwards, Roman, Celtic, and Anglo-Saxon traders developed different methods to measure and weigh stock. Traditional names of measurement still exist today, such as; pound, foot, and gallon.
The Fahrenheit scale was later adopted into the British Imperial System as an early way to measure heat. Thanks to the expansion of the British Empire, the Fahrenheit scale and the Imperial System were spread across the globe. Much of the globe have switched to using the more accurate metric system. The US did try and switch to the metric system by establishing the Metric Conversion Act of 1975. However, this was disbanded in 1982 after the country resisted the change.
What is the metric system?
The metric system was an alternative system of measurement to the Fahrenheit system. France - a long-time rival of the British Empire did not adopt the British Imperial System. There was no unified way of measuring lengths and weights. However, the French Revolution of 1789 helped establish a singular system of measurements in opposition to Britain. As defined by Britannica the new system would be based on:
"The length of 1/10,000,000 of a quadrant of a great circle of Earth, measured around the poles of the meridian passing through Paris."
All metrics were later derived from this and the metric system spread across the world. Even the UK has largely adopted the metric system. The Celsius chart was also part of the metric system.
What is Fahrenheit?
Fahrenheit is a heat scale. Fahrenheit is based on a number of different formulas. For example, the point where water freezes, which is 32 degrees. The point water where water boils is set at 212 degrees. There are 180 sections between the freezing and boiling point to give you a heat measurement.
The formula was based on the work of Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit. He invented the alcohol thermometer in 1709 and the mercury thermometer in 1714. Initially, Fahrenheit temp was based on the freezing point of an ice-salt mixture which was set at 30 degrees. Body temperature was set at 90 degrees. This was later changed to 32 degrees (freezing point), then 96 degrees, and finally 98.6 degrees for body temperature.
What is Celsius?
Celsius - also called centigrade, is a separate temperature scale. The Celsius scale is based on the work of Anders Celsius who invented the scale in 1742. This is used by the metric system and in scientific work as it is the more accurate scale between the two temperature scales.
When it was first invented, Celsius measured the boiling point of water at zero. The melting point of snow, on the other hand, was 100 degrees. This was switched around for better ease of use. The melting point of Celsius is zero, and the boiling point is 100 degrees. As it starts from a baseline of zero, the Celsius scale is more user-friendly than the Fahrenheit scale.
Will the US switch to the metric system?
Previous attempts to convert to the metric system have failed in the US. The Metric Conversion Act sought to change the measurement system of America. However, the law was voluntary, which meant most people simply believed it would be easier to stick with what they already knew.
However, despite the hesitancy, it looks like the US is inching towards the metric system bit by bit. This is because it is impossible to avoid the units of measurement of other countries. For example, in some cases, US stores are shelved with soda bottles weighed and identified in litres. Sports is another avenue in which Americans are subtly pushed towards the metric system. The Olympics use the metric system to measure length and weight, for example.
Perhaps the US, like the UK, will adopt a blended system of metric and imperial. Often in the UK, both metric and imperial measurements are used. For example, many market traders display both measurements. Also, although they use Celsius, weather reporters often display Fahrenheit as a secondary measurement in weather reports.
