degree Rankine [R] to degree Celsius [C] Converter

Definition: Degree Rankine (°R or °Ra) is a thermodynamic (absolute) temperature scale, named after the Scottish physicist and engineer William John Macquorn Rankine, who proposed it in 1859. It uses the Fahrenheit degree as its interval and starts from absolute zero.

History/origin: William John Macquorn Rankine developed the Rankine scale as an absolute temperature scale to complement the Fahrenheit scale, similar to how the Kelvin scale relates to the Celsius scale.

Current use: The Rankine scale is primarily used in engineering contexts, particularly in thermodynamics and combustion calculations, predominantly in the United States. It's not as widely used as Kelvin or Celsius.

Definition: Degree Celsius (°C) is a unit of temperature on the Celsius scale, which is defined so that the freezing point of water is 0 °C and the boiling point is 100 °C at standard atmospheric pressure.

History/origin: The Celsius scale was originally proposed in 1742 by the Swedish astronomer Anders Celsius. He originally defined 0 °C as the boiling point of water and 100 °C as the freezing point, but this was later reversed to its current definition.

Current use: Degree Celsius is the standard unit of temperature used in most of the world, except for the United States and a few other countries. It is used in scientific research, weather reporting, and everyday life.