Convert Newton to Delisle easily.

Ever stumbled upon an old scientific manuscript mentioning temperatures in "Newton" or "Delisle" and felt utterly lost? You’re not alone. These obscure scales, once pioneers in thermodynamics, now linger in the shadows of Celsius and Fahrenheit. But hey, history buffs and curious minds still find them intriguing. Let’s unravel the mystery of converting Newton to Delisle, step by step.

Unit definitions

What is a Newton (°N)?

The Newton scale, proposed by Sir Isaac Newton around 1700, was one of the earliest attempts to standardize temperature measurement. Newton used linseed oil’s expansion properties to define his scale, assigning 0°N to freezing water and 33°N to boiling water. Though innovative for its time, it never gained widespread adoption. Today, it’s a relic of scientific history, occasionally referenced in academic circles.

Symbol: °N
Common uses: Historical thermodynamics, niche scientific discussions
Definition: 0°N = Freezing water, 33°N = Boiling water

What is a Delisle (°De)?

Joseph-Nicolas Delisle, a French astronomer, introduced his eponymous scale in 1732. Ironically, it became more popular in Russia than in his homeland. The Delisle scale inverts our modern intuition: temperatures decrease as the scale value increases. Originally, 0°De marked boiling water, and 150°De represented freezing. Later revisions flipped these reference points, but the core design stayed intact.

Symbol: °De
Common uses: 18th-century meteorological records, Russian winter measurements
Definition: 0°De = Boiling water (revised), 150°De = Freezing water

Conversion formula

Converting Newton to Delisle isn’t straightforward, but it’s manageable with a two-step process via Celsius:

1. Newton to Celsius:
   °C = °N × (100/33)
2. Celsius to Delisle:
   °De = (100 - °C) × 1.5

Combined formula:
°De = (100 - (°N × (100/33))) × 1.5

Example calculations

Example 1: Convert 33°N to Delisle

1. 33°N × (100/33) = 100°C
2. (100 - 100) × 1.5 = 0°De
   So, 33°N equals 0°De—the boiling point of water.

Example 2: Convert 0°N to Delisle

1. 0°N × (100/33) ≈ 0°C
2. (100 - 0) × 1.5 = 150°De
   At 0°N (freezing water), Delisle hits its maximum value of 150°De.

Conversion tables

Newton to Delisle

Delisle to Newton

Historical background

Isaac Newton’s foray into temperature measurement was almost an afterthought. While better known for calculus and gravity, he dabbled in thermodynamics using linseed oil thermometers. His scale, dividing water’s phase changes into 33 equal parts, was precise but impractical for daily use. Meanwhile, Delisles work in St. Petersburg led to a scale tailored for Russia’s harsh winters. His original system assigned 0°De to boiling water and 150°De to freezing, a counterintuitive approach that baffled many. Over time, scientists reversed the scale to align with rising temperatures, but Delisle’s legacy endures in old Russian weather records.

Interesting facts

1. Newton’s Thermometer: His linseed oil thermometers were prone to errors due to the oil’s inconsistent expansion rates.
2. Delisle in Siberia: Russian scientists used the Delisle scale extensively in 18th-century Arctic expeditions.
3. Scale Swap: Delisle’s original scale was inverted twice—first by Josias Weitbrecht and later by other scientists.
4. 33 Degrees Mystery: Newton chose 33 divisions because it aligned with his experiments on oil’s expansion, not for mathematical convenience.
5. Longevity: The Delisle scale remained official in Russia until the 1920s, outlasting many contemporaries.

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