on 3/2/2002 3:23 PM, Gene Mechtly at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > The subtle difference between the centigrade and Celsius scales is not so > simply explained as I attempted to do below. What is the difference?
There is no difference. "Celsius" is just the new name of the scale that had formerly been called "centigrade". There appears never to have been a "degree centigrade" in SI. when SI was created, the absolute temperature scale was defined as degrees Kelvin (�K), later modified to just "kelvins" (K) and the Celsius scale was named "Celsius" and defined in terms of kelvins and the triple point of water. It was established in such a way as to be identical* to the centigrade scale already in existence (but never part of SI). *(Identical to the precision with which the freezing point of water at normal atmosperic pressure and the triple point of water could be measured at that time.) Regards, Bill Hooper ======================== Keep It Simple - Make It Metric! ========================
