Question

The following equation can be used to convert Celsius temperature to Kelvin temperature. $$ \mathrm{K}={ }^{\circ} \mathrm{C}+273.15 $$ Use algebra to change the equation to convert Kelvin temperature to Celsius temperature.

Short answer

\( { }^{\textdegree} C = K - 273.15 \). Simply subtract 273.15 from the Kelvin temperature to get the Celsius temperature.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Original Formula

The given formula to convert Celsius to Kelvin is: \( K = { }^{\textdegree} C + 273.15 \). Here, \( K \) stands for the temperature in Kelvin and \({ }^{\textdegree} C\) for the temperature in Celsius.

Isolate the Celsius Temperature

To convert Kelvin to Celsius, we need to isolate \({ }^{\textdegree} C\) in the formula. To do this, subtract 273.15 from both sides of the equation: \( K - 273.15 = { }^{\textdegree} C + 273.15 - 273.15 \).

Simplify the Equation

After subtracting 273.15 from both sides of the equation, the terms on the right-hand side cancel each other out, resulting in the new equation: \( { }^{\textdegree} C = K - 273.15 \).

Key concepts

Kelvin to Celsius Conversion

Converting temperature from Kelvin to Celsius is a straightforward process, but it contains vital algebraic steps. When given the temperature in Kelvin (K), to find the temperature in Celsius (\( ^\text{o}C \)), one must subtract the number 273.15 from the Kelvin temperature.

The simplified formula becomes: \
\( ^\text{o}C = K - 273.15 \).
This adjustment accounts for the difference between the starting points of the two scales: 0K (absolute zero in the Kelvin scale) is equivalent to -273.15°C.

Algebraic Manipulation

Algebraic manipulation is an essential skill used to rearrange equations and solve for different variables. To convert the original formula \
\( K = { }^{\textdegree} C + 273.15 \)
to solve for Celsius, we apply subtraction.

The step-by-step solution demonstrates how to isolate the Celsius temperature by subtracting 273.15 from both sides of the equation, ultimately leading to \
\( { }^{\textdegree} C = K - 273.15 \).
This technique of manipulating equations by performing the same operation on both sides is a fundamental concept in algebra.

Celsius Temperature Scale

The Celsius temperature scale is a commonly used scale around the world for measuring temperature. The Celsius scale sets the freezing point of water at 0°C and the boiling point at 100°C (at sea level).

Understanding the Celsius scale is crucial for daily life applications and scientific measurements alike. It's based on the properties of water and is a critical component in the metric system of measurement.

Kelvin Temperature Scale

Named after Lord Kelvin, the Kelvin temperature scale is an absolute thermodynamic scale used primarily in the sciences. Its defining point, 0 Kelvin, is the temperature at which particles have the least thermal motion, known as absolute zero (-273.15°C).

The increments in the Kelvin scale are equivalent to those of the Celsius scale, making the conversion between the two systems a matter of adding or subtracting 273.15.

It's important to note that in the Kelvin scale, 'degrees' are not used; one simply refers to the temperature in kelvins.