Degrees Celcius to Farenheight, Conversion issues

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around converting temperature changes from degrees Celsius to degrees Fahrenheit, specifically in the context of a materials testing lab scenario where a temperature increase is required. The original poster presents a problem involving an increase of 41.7 degrees Celsius from an initial temperature of 68.2 degrees Fahrenheit.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the validity of using the conversion formula for absolute temperatures versus temperature differences. Some suggest converting the initial Fahrenheit temperature to Celsius, applying the temperature change, and then converting back to Fahrenheit. Others question the application of the conversion formula for temperature intervals.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing exploration of the correct approach to convert temperature differences. Some participants have provided insights into the distinction between absolute temperature conversions and temperature differences, while others have reiterated the need for careful application of the conversion formulas.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of understanding the difference between degrees Celsius/Fahrenheit as absolute temperatures and Celsius/Fahrenheit degrees as temperature intervals. The original poster's confusion about the conversion process is highlighted, along with the implications of using the wrong formula.

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Degrees celsius to Farenheight, Conversion issues !

Homework Statement


You work in a materials testing lab ad your boss tells you to increase the temperature of a sample by 41.7 degrees celsius. Theo nly thermometer you can find at your workbench reads in degrees fahrenheit. If the initial temperature of the sample is 68.2 degrees farenheight, what is its temperature in degrees farenheight when the desired temperature increase has been achieved?


Homework Equations



F degrees = (1.8*C) + 32

The Attempt at a Solution



Tried changing 41.1 degrees celsius into fareneheight and got 107.06. Added that to the initial degrees and got 175.26 Farenheight. However, the answer is still wrong. (3 sig dig rounded to its actually 175.. not that the answer is correct)

What am i doing wrong?
 
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Nellen2222 said:

Homework Statement


You work in a materials testing lab ad your boss tells you to increase the temperature of a sample by 41.7 degrees celsius. Theo nly thermometer you can find at your workbench reads in degrees fahrenheit. If the initial temperature of the sample is 68.2 degrees farenheight, what is its temperature in degrees farenheight when the desired temperature increase has been achieved?


Homework Equations



F degrees = (1.8*C) + 32

The Attempt at a Solution



Tried changing 41.1 degrees celsius into fareneheight and got 107.06. Added that to the initial degrees and got 175.26 Farenheight. However, the answer is still wrong. (3 sig dig rounded to its actually 175.. not that the answer is correct)

What am i doing wrong?

Degrees Celsius/Fahrenheit is not the same as Celsius/Fahrenheit degrees. This is a sentence whose meaning is that there is a difference between a given temperature, and a temperature difference. Your equation is actually valid only for given temperatures. For temperature intervals, you need:
<br /> \begin{array}{l}<br /> \frac{t_1}{\mathrm{^{o}F}} = \frac{9}{5} \, \frac{t_1}{\mathrm{^{o}C}} + 32 \\<br /> <br /> \frac{t_2}{\mathrm{^{o}F}} = \frac{9}{5} \, \frac{t_2}{\mathrm{^{o}C}} + 32<br /> \end{array}<br />
<br /> \frac{t_2 - t_1}{\mathrm{F^{o}}} = \frac{9}{5} \, \frac{t_2 - t_1}{\mathrm{C^{o}}}<br />

Notice the different placement of the "o" symbol. One denotes degrees Celsius/Fahrenheit (current temperature), and the other denotes Celsius/Fahrenheit degrees (temperature interval).
 


A change of 1°F equals a change of 1.8°C.
 


You work in a materials testing lab ad your boss tells you to increase the temperature of a sample by 41.7 degrees celsius. The only thermometer you can find at your workbench reads in degrees fahrenheit. If the initial temperature of the sample is 68.2 degrees farenheight, what is its temperature in degrees farenheight when the desired temperature increase has been achieved?

The equation for converting C to F can't be used to convert ΔC to ΔF directly.

Try converting 68.2F to C, add 41.7C and convert it back.
 


If F = 1.8 C + 32, then

ΔF = 1.8 Δ C

What is ΔF if ΔC = 41.1?
 


Nellen2222 said:


Homework Equations



F degrees = (1.8*C) + 32


This equation is wrong for converting temperature differences from Celsius to Fahrenheit. Do not add the 32 deg. While Celsius degrees are 1.8 deg. larger than Fahrenheit degrees, the 32 degrees only provide and offset to align the two scales.
 

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