What Is the Relationship Between Temperature, Magnitude, and Scalar Quantities?

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SUMMARY

The discussion clarifies that temperature is indeed a scalar quantity, which can be represented by a single number and can take on negative values, such as -30°F. While magnitude typically refers to non-negative values, the term is applied differently in the context of scalars. The Kelvin scale, which does not allow for negative values, is highlighted as a more scientifically valid measure of temperature compared to the Celsius scale, which is based on subjective human definitions.

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Genecks
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Alright, I was reading this thread: https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=239733

And I read somewhere that temperature is a scalar quantity with magnitude.
But in the thread above, a poster said that a magnitude is always zero or positive.
But then again... temperature can also be negative.
So, how can temperature be a scalar quantity and have a magnitude if it's -30F?
 
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In general, a scalar is a quantity that can be represented by a single number with units (no direction). It can certainly be negative.

The magnitude of a vector is the length of the vector, which can only be positive.
 
Temperature can only be negative if you use a useless unit of measure, anyway.

You can not have negative kelvins because the kelvin scale makes sense. The celsius scale works, but its values are based on something subjective that humans decided and not something with any real physical meaning.
 

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