The difference arises from using different temperature scales: 37.0 °C (Celsius) converts to approximately 98.6 °F (Fahrenheit). These scales have different zero points and intervals, but both represent the same normal human body temperature.
I have seen a friend of mine using a digital thermometer that reads temperature on a different scale. It shows the normal temperature of a healthy human body as 98.6 °F. What is the reason for this difference?
Share
The observed difference in normal body temperature readings, such as 37.0 °C on a digital thermometer versus 98.6 °F on another, results from the use of different temperature scales. The Celsius scale sets 0 °C at the freezing point of water, while Fahrenheit sets 32 °F at the same point, leading to varying numerical representations. When converting, 37.0 °C is approximately equivalent to 98.6 °F, indicating that both values represent the same normal body temperature, despite the difference in scale.
For more CBSE Class 6 Science Curiosity Chapter 7 Temperature and its Measurement Extra Questions & Answer:
https://www.tiwariacademy.com/ncert-solutions-class-6-science-curiosity-chapter-7/
The thermometer shows 98.6 °F because it uses the Fahrenheit scale, which is different from the Celsius scale we usually use. These are two different systems for measuring temperature.
The Fahrenheit scale is commonly used in the United States, while most other countries use the Celsius scale. On the Fahrenheit scale, normal human body temperature is 98.6 °F, while on the Celsius scale, it is 37 °C. This difference happens because the two scales have different starting points and intervals.
The Celsius scale sets 0 °C as the freezing point of water and 100 °C as the boiling point of water. The Fahrenheit scale, on the other hand, sets 32 °F as the freezing point of water and 212 °F as the boiling point. Both scales are accurate, but they represent the same temperatures with different numbers. That’s why a thermometer using Fahrenheit shows 98.6 °F as normal body temperature, while one using Celsius shows 37 °C.
that really did help!
The thermometer shows 98.6 °F because it uses the Fahrenheit scale, which is different from the Celsius scale we usually use. These are two different systems for measuring temperature.
The Fahrenheit scale is commonly used in the United States, while most other countries use the Celsius scale. On the Fahrenheit scale, normal human body temperature is 98.6 °F, while on the Celsius scale, it is 37 °C. This difference happens because the two scales have different starting points and intervals.
The Celsius scale sets 0 °C as the freezing point of water and 100 °C as the boiling point of water. The Fahrenheit scale, on the other hand, sets 32 °F as the freezing point of water and 212 °F as the boiling point. Both scales are accurate, but they represent the same temperatures with different numbers. That’s why a thermometer using Fahrenheit shows 98.6 °F as normal body temperature, while one using Celsius shows 37 °C.