Which temperature scale is an absolute scale that uses Fahrenheit-sized degrees?

Which temperature scale is an absolute scale that uses Fahrenheit-sized degrees?

• A. Fahrenheit
• B. Kelvin
• C. Celsius
• D. Rankine

Answer: (D)

An absolute temperature scale starts at absolute zero, the lowest possible energy state, and uses a uniform unit so that each degree represents the same energy change. Rankine fits this exactly: zero Rankine is absolute zero, and one degree Rankine has the same size as one Fahrenheit degree. That means temperature differences are directly comparable to Fahrenheit differences (a 10 °F change is a 10 °R change), while the zero point remains at absolute zero. Kelvin is also absolute, but its degree size is the Kelvin (same as Celsius), not Fahrenheit-sized. Celsius is not an absolute scale because its zero is the freezing point of water, not absolute zero. So the scale described is Rankine.

An absolute temperature scale starts at absolute zero, the lowest possible energy state, and uses a uniform unit so that each degree represents the same energy change. Rankine fits this exactly: zero Rankine is absolute zero, and one degree Rankine has the same size as one Fahrenheit degree. That means temperature differences are directly comparable to Fahrenheit differences (a 10 °F change is a 10 °R change), while the zero point remains at absolute zero. Kelvin is also absolute, but its degree size is the Kelvin (same as Celsius), not Fahrenheit-sized. Celsius is not an absolute scale because its zero is the freezing point of water, not absolute zero. So the scale described is Rankine.