Temperature

Temperature tells us how hot or cold something is. We feel temperature all the time, even without thinking. A warm bath feels nice. Ice feels very cold. We use a tool called a thermometer to measure it.

What Temperature Really Means

Everything is made of tiny bits called atoms and molecules. When they move fast, something feels hot. When they move slowly, it feels cold. So temperature is really about how fast these tiny pieces jiggle. Adding heat makes them move faster. Taking heat away makes them slow down.

Measuring Temperature

Americans usually use Fahrenheit to measure temperature. Water freezes at 32 degrees Fahrenheit and boils at 212 degrees. Most other countries use Celsius. In Celsius, water freezes at 0 degrees and boils at 100 degrees. Scientists use a special scale called Kelvin. Our normal body temperature is about 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit.

Fun Facts

• The hottest place on Earth can reach 134 degrees Fahrenheit.
• The coldest temperature possible is called absolute zero.
• A fever is when your body temperature gets higher than normal.

Did You Know?

The sun's surface is about 10,000 degrees Fahrenheit. That is almost 100 times hotter than a hot summer day.