Question #8d154

1 Answer
Mar 13, 2016

Explanation:

  1. This problem is merely conversion from F to C;
  2. I don't recommend memorizing the formula, but always remember the following data to accurately write the conversion formula for these temperature scales:

Boiling Pt of Water

F=212^o
C=100^o

Freezing Pt of Water

F=32^o
C=0^o
3. Write the ratio of the two temperatures with the zero points and the size units;

(C-0)/(100-0) = (F-32)/(212-32)
4. Simplify the equation

(C)/(100)=(F-32)/(180)
5. Isolate C to derive the formula

C=100/180 (F-32)
6. Reduce fraction to lowest form
C=(cancel(20).5)/(cancel(20).9)(F-32)
7. The derived formula is
C=5/9(F-32)
8. Plug in the given value F=230^o to find the value in C
9. The answer is C=110^o
10. Don't really know if there is a significant difference between the two temperatures. Some say, it has approximately 1.5^o difference between alcohol and mercury, maybe because alcohol has low boiling point compared to mercury... If so, this 230^oF = 110^oC for mercury-type thermometer. For alcohol-type thermometer this value is equal to 111.5^oC.

Moreover, manufacturers probably have all types of thermometers properly calibrated such that all can give the same results...