It is information that seems to be available anywhere: temperature.  When you look at your phone, there are apps that can tell you the current temperature, yesterday’s temperature, and the temperature at any time for the next week.  The temperature is plastered on bank signs, car dashboards, and computer desktops.  It really seems like temperature measurements are everywhere, but why is it so important to know the temperature of something so precisely?  After all, what’s the difference between a few degrees?  Well, quite a lot, actually.

• Accurate temperature is often a huge concern in the food industry because products have to be heated to a very specific temperature before they are safe for human consumption.
• Specific temperatures play a big part in thermal imaging. When creating a thermal readout, minute differences in temperature can help in creating more accurate displays.
• Pilots are very concerned about outside air temperature as the development of frost on the outside of the plane can be of great concern for the safety of the passengers and crew.
• In a lot of machinery, parts are designed to function within a certain temperature range. If the operation takes the readings outside of the accepted parameters, the machine could be damaged or even cause injuries to the people working with it.  On your car, for instance, temperature gauges ensure that your internal fluids in your engine don’t overheat.
• Temperature is obviously very important in weather forecasting. While you may not notice much of a difference between 72 degrees and 73 degrees, even minor temperature changes can result in significant alterations to global weather patterns.  Climate scientists, for example, must take their temperature readings with great care in order to ensure that their research is accurate.