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MM.1 Read temperatures on a Celsius thermometer

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What is Celsius temperature?

Celsius (°C) is a metric unit used to measure temperature. It tells us how hot or cold something is.

Examples:
  • 0 °C is the temperature when water freezes.
  • 100 °C is the temperature when water boils.
  • 20 °C is a comfortable room temperature.
Note

Celsius is written with the degree symbol (°) followed by the letter C.

How to read a Celsius thermometer

A thermometer is a tool that shows the temperature. On a Celsius thermometer, each line or mark stands for a certain number of degrees.

Steps:
  • Look at the numbers printed on the thermometer.
  • Find the mark where the liquid or red line stops.
  • Count the degrees by the marks between the numbers.
  • Say the temperature in degrees Celsius (°C).
Note

Most classroom thermometers show each line as 1 °C. Always check what each line stands for before reading.

Identifying common Celsius temperatures

Some Celsius temperatures are used often in daily life. Recognizing them helps you understand readings quickly.

Examples:
  • 0 °C → water freezes (ice forms).
  • 10 °C → a cool day outside.
  • 20 °C → warm and comfortable indoors.
  • 37 °C → normal human body temperature.
  • 100 °C → water boils.
Note

Think of these as “benchmark” temperatures that you can compare with what you see on a thermometer.

Using Celsius temperatures in real life

Knowing Celsius helps you understand science, weather, and health information.

Examples:
  • Weather reports may say “It will be 15 °C today.”
  • Science experiments often measure in °C.
  • A doctor checks if your body temperature is 37 °C.
Note

If you know what 0 °C, 20 °C, and 100 °C mean, you can guess whether it is cold, warm, or hot in other situations.