Newton (°N) - Unit Information & Conversion
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What is a Newton?
Key Facts: Newton
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Symbol | °N |
| Quantity | Temperature |
| System | Metric/SI Derived |
| Derived from | Kelvin |
| Category | Temperature |
| Standard Body | NIST / ISO |
Definition
The Newton scale (°N) is a temperature scale devised by Isaac Newton around 1700. It sets the freezing point of water at 0 degrees Newton and the boiling point at 33 degrees Newton.
History
Newton developed his scale for practical use, calling it the "thermometric degree." He defined it based on the freezing point of water (0 °N) and body temperature (around 12 °N). He later extrapolated it to the boiling point of water (33 °N). It was one of the precursors to the Celsius scale.
Common Uses
- Historical Significance: Primarily of historical interest in the development of thermometry.
- Not used in modern scientific or general applications.
Historical Temperature Scales Comparison
Fixed Reference Points
| Scale | Freezing Water | Body Temperature | Boiling Water | Scale Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newton | 0° | 12° | 33° | 33 degrees |
| Celsius | 0° | 37° | 100° | 100 degrees |
| Fahrenheit | 32° | 98.6° | 212° | 180 degrees |
| Réaumur | 0° | 27° | 80° | 80 degrees |
Scale Development Timeline
| Year | Scale | Creator | Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| ~1700 | Newton | Isaac Newton | Physical inquiry |
| 1714 | Fahrenheit | Daniel Fahrenheit | Mercury thermometer |
| 1742 | Celsius (Centigrade)** | Anders Celsius | Linear water scale |
| 1756 | Réaumur | René-Antoine Ferchault | Alternative metric |
Scientific Significance & Legacy
Impact on Thermometry
| Contribution | Newton Scale | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Quantified temperature mathematically | Foundation for modern scales |
| Practical | Fixed points (freezing/boiling) | Standardization principle |
| Precision | 33-degree range | Too compressed for use |
| Duration | ~50 years active | Replaced by Celsius |
Contemporary Recognition
- Academic value: Historical importance in thermometer development
- Education: Taught as precursor to Celsius scale
- Conversion: Occasionally used in historical physics discussions
- Modern use: Essentially obsolete, replaced by Celsius/Kelvin
Thermometer Evolution Context
Newton's work on temperature scales represented a critical transition from purely qualitative descriptions to quantitative measurement. The Newton scale's limitations—its narrow range and reliance on linseed oil—eventually led Anders Celsius to develop a simpler, decimal-based approach in 1742. This demonstrates how scientific instrumentation evolves as technology improves.
Newton Conversion Formulas
To Celsius:
To Fahrenheit:
To Kelvin:
To Rankine:
To Réaumur:
To Rømer:
To Delisle:
Frequently Asked Questions
Water freezes at 0 °N and boils at 33 °N.
Convert Newton
Need to convert Newton to other temperature units? Use our conversion tool.