Question

The warmest temperature ever measured in the United States is \(134^{\circ} \mathrm{F},\) recorded on July \(10,1913,\) in Death Valley, California. Convert that temperature to \({ }^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) and \(\mathrm{K}\).

Short answer

The warmest temperature of 134°F converts to approximately 56.67°C or 329.82K.

Step-by-step solution

Convert Fahrenheit to Celsius

To convert the temperature from Fahrenheit to Celsius, use the formula: \( \frac{5}{9}(\text{Fahrenheit} - 32) \). Plug in the given Fahrenheit temperature: \([ \text{Celsius} = \frac{5}{9}(134 - 32) \).

Calculate the Celsius value

Perform the arithmetic: \([ \text{Celsius} = \frac{5}{9}(102) \), which equals approximately \(56.67^\circ \text{C}\).

Convert Celsius to Kelvin

To convert the Celsius temperature to Kelvin, use the formula: \( \text{Kelvin} = \text{Celsius} + 273.15 \). Therefore, plug the Celsius result into the formula: \([ \text{Kelvin} = 56.67 + 273.15 \).

Calculate the Kelvin value

Perform the addition to find the temperature in Kelvin: \([ \text{Kelvin} = 329.82 \), which can be rounded to the whole number \(330 \text{K}\).

Key concepts

Fahrenheit to Celsius conversion

Understanding temperature conversion is a fundamental aspect of thermodynamics and daily life. To convert from Fahrenheit to Celsius, we make use of a simple mathematical formula: \( \frac{5}{9}(\text{Fahrenheit} - 32) \).

This formula stems from the relationships between the two temperature scales. On the Fahrenheit scale, the freezing point of water is 32 degrees, while the boiling point is 212 degrees. Meanwhile, on the Celsius scale, these points are 0 degrees and 100 degrees, respectively. Hence, the range from freezing to boiling is 180 degrees in Fahrenheit and 100 degrees in Celsius. The ratio of 100 to 180 simplifies to 5 to 9, which is the key factor in the formula. To convert the record temperature of \(134^\circ\text{F}\), recorded in Death Valley, we subtract 32 and then multiply by 5/9 to find \(56.67^\circ\text{C}\).

It is crucial for students to follow the order of operations in the formula, ensuring they subtract before multiplying. This process is not just about substituting numbers but also about understanding how these two temperature scales relate to each other.

Celsius to Kelvin conversion

After understanding the Fahrenheit to Celsius conversion, it's important to grasp the Celsius to Kelvin conversion for a complete understanding of temperature relationships. Kelvin is the base unit of temperature in the International System of Units (SI), and unlike Fahrenheit or Celsius, it does not have a degree sign and starts at absolute zero – the lowest possible temperature.

The conversion from Celsius to Kelvin is, thankfully, much more straightforward than from Fahrenheit to Celsius: \( \text{Kelvin} = \text{Celsius} + 273.15 \). To convert the Death Valley temperature (already in Celsius) to Kelvin, we simply add 273.15 to the Celsius temperature to get \(330\text{K}\), recognizing that 273.15 is the difference in value between the starting points of the two scales (0ºC is equivalent to 273.15K).

This conversion is direct without requiring any scaling or factoring, because the size of one unit increment is the same on both the Celsius and Kelvin scales – a change of 1 degree Celsius is equivalent to a change of 1 Kelvin.

Thermodynamics

Thermodynamics is a branch of physics that involves the study of heat and temperature and their relation to energy and work. The laws of thermodynamics govern how and why energy is transferred and the direction of its flow. Temperature conversion plays a crucial role in this science because to correctly discuss energy transfer, we must have consistent units of temperature.

For instance, in the example of Death Valley's record temperature, converting between Fahrenheit, Celsius, and Kelvin allows scientists to accurately describe thermal energy in a universal context. Whether it's for scientific research, engineering applications, or simply understanding the weather, comprehension of temperature conversions is integral to thermodynamics.

Moreover, the zero point on the Kelvin scale, absolute zero, is significant in thermodynamics as it represents the point at which particles have minimum thermal motion, and it's a key concept in understanding the theoretical limits of cold temperatures in the universe.