Temperature Calculations

—In temperature and pre ure calculations for heat engines, it is customary to use absolute figures. Thus, the absolute temperature is the sum of the sensible thermometrie temperature and the constant 461. This latter figure, which is more properly expre ed as 460.66, represents the total number of degrees on the Fahrenheit scale from 32° below the freezing point of water to absolute zero of temperature, as calculated by the expansion ratio of gases. Thus, in calculating temperatures, one should count from absolute zero; instead of 64°, writing 525°, and instead of 32% writing 493°, or, better 492.66°. The utility of this system lies in the fact that, as a gas has been found to expand by 1-273 of its original volume for each degree Centigrade, or by 1-461 for each degree Fahrenheit. of increased temperature, we have by the use of absolute figures an approximate expre ion for. both increased heat and increased volume in the same number. The absolute zero is the point of theoretically complete stability of a gas.