Gene Mechtly wrote:
....
> The zero on the "Celsius" scale is 273.15 kelvin, not 273.16 kelvin.
> (NIST SP 811, page 5)
....
> The subtle difference between the centigrade and Celsius scales is not so
> simply explained as I attempted to do below. What is the difference?
The distinction between the two scales is, as you have suggested, Gene,
a matter of reference points. The centigrade scale used the boiling
point of pure water at a standard atmospheric pressure to set its 100
degree mark. So we moved from the centigrade scale with two reference
points to the Celsius scale with one reference point and a defined
interval size.
I believe that's the nut of the matter, though perhaps there are some
subtleties omitted above. Before that gets published on granite pages I
would like to review the references, though.
Jim
--
Metric Methods(SM) "Don't be late to metricate!"
James R. Frysinger, CAMS http://www.metricmethods.com/
10 Captiva Row e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Charleston, SC 29407 phone/FAX: 843.225.6789
