It's two degrees today and four tomorrow, did the temperature double? Why or why not?

Question

I know the answer is no, but I can't figure out why...

Answer 1

Rick S is correct and I can guarantee you that it will be pretty stinkin' cold either way!

Answer 2

at zero degrees, there is still a lot of heat.  That is why four degrees is not double the temperature of two degrees.

If you are 6 feet 2 inches, and tomorrow you are 6 feet 4 inches, you did not grow to twice your size.

Answer 3

No the temperature did not double.

Temperature measures the kinetic energy contained in the molecules of a given material, and helps define which way the energy will be transferred if you have two materials at different temperatures.

Zero particle motion occurs at Absolute Zero, but this is if we use a less common system called the Kelvin scale.  This is equivalent to -273.16 Celsius.  

When something goes from 2-4 degrees Celsius, it is effectively going from 275 - 277 Kelvin, which is obviously not doubling.

Answer 4

It totally depends on what scale you are using. The Fahrenheit scale is the only scale that the answer would be yes.

Answer 5

I believe it's because we measure temperature in either F or C.  Neither of these scales start at Absolute 0.  If you were using the Kelvin or Rankin scales which both start at true Absolute 0 (which means no molecular movement) then going from 2 degrees to 4 degrees would be a doubling in temperature.