Physical backgrounds for air temperature
Temperature is the physical quantity most often measured after time. The temperature of a body is a measure for the energy of the subordinate movement of particles this body is made of. When thermal energy is supplied to this body, its particle speed increases. In turn, this leads to the temperature of the body rising. If energy is taken from a body, then the particle speed slows down and the temperature falls.
Celsius, Fahrenheit and Kelvin
Temperature is generally specified in Kelvin (K) and, for everyday use, measured in degrees Celsius (°C).
- At 0°C and 273.15 K water freezes to ice, at 100°C and 373.15 K water boils
- In the USA and some other countries temperature is still measured in degrees Fahrenheit (°F) today
- In the Fahrenheit scale the ice point (freezing point of water) is determined at 32°F, the steam point (boiling point) at 212°F
- The fundamental interval between the two points is 180°F
Measuring correctly
It is best to measure air temperature at a height of around 2 m. In doing so, you should make sure that you do not carry out the measurement in the vicinity of heat or cold sources, because these falsify the result. For measurement outside closed environments, solar radiation is the main factor to take into consideration.