Centigrade Division

(Phys.) This term most frequently occurs in scientific works in reference to the division of the scale of the thermometer. The fixed points of the thermometric scale are the points at which water freezes on the one hand, and boils on the other; the space between these two points being divided into 1000, the centigrade scale is formed. In Fahrenheit's scale, which is usually applied in common life to the thermometer in this country, the same space is divided into 180°; a degree of the centigrade scale is therefore greater than a degree of Fahr. in the proportion of 180 to 100, or of 9 to 5. Any number of degrees, therefore, on the centigrade scale, being multiplied by 9 and divided by 5. will give the equivalent númber of degrees of Fahr. But in comparing temperatures expre ed by the two scales, it is nece ary to recollect that the zero of Fahrenheit's scale is not placed at the freezing-point, but 32° below it. An example will best show how this is to be taken into account. Let it be required to expre on Fahrenheit's scale the temperature corresponding to 100 centigrade. Here 10×95=18; to this add 32, and we have 18+32-50; so that a temperature of 10° Centigrade corresponds to one of 50° Fahrenheit.