Question

Express the following Celsius temperatures in Kelvin units: (a) \(495^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) (b) \(-185^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\)

Short answer

(a) 768.15 K; (b) 88.15 K.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding the Celsius to Kelvin Conversion Formula

To convert a temperature from Celsius to Kelvin, we use the formula: \[K = °C + 273.15\]This means you simply add 273.15 to the given Celsius temperature to get the temperature in Kelvin.

Convert Part (a) Celsius Temperature to Kelvin

Given temperature in Celsius for part (a) is \(495^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\). Using the conversion formula:\[K = 495 + 273.15 = 768.15\]So, the temperature in Kelvin is \(768.15\, \mathrm{K}\).

Convert Part (b) Celsius Temperature to Kelvin

Given temperature in Celsius for part (b) is \(-185^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\). Applying the conversion formula:\[K = -185 + 273.15 = 88.15\]Therefore, the temperature in Kelvin is \(88.15\, \mathrm{K}\).

Key concepts

temperature conversion

Temperature conversion is a method of changing the unit in which temperature is expressed. It is essential for various scientific and everyday applications. In the case of converting Celsius to Kelvin, temperature conversion allows us to switch between Celsius and Kelvin scales by using a straightforward mathematical method.
For these calculations, the formula

• Converting Celsius to Kelvin: \[ K = °C + 273.15 \]

is used. This specific formula adds 273.15 to the Celsius temperature.
When you arrange your calculations this way, you ensure accurate and effective temperature conversion from one scale to another. This process is straightforward, applying basic add-and-know arithmetic, making it manageable for students and professionals alike.

Kelvin scale

The Kelvin scale is a vital part of temperature measurement in science and everyday life. Named after the Scottish physicist William Thomson, Lord Kelvin, this scale is widely used in scientific settings.
One important aspect of the Kelvin scale is that it is an absolute scale. Unlike Celsius and Fahrenheit, Kelvin starts at absolute zero, the theoretical point where all molecular motion ceases. This makes Kelvin an excellent choice where precise temperature measurements are required, such as in physics and chemistry.

• The Kelvin scale has no negative numbers because it begins at absolute zero, which is \[ 0\, \mathrm{K} = -273.15^{\circ}\, \mathrm{C} \].
• Each Kelvin unit matches the Celsius unit for temperature interval differences, so moving up 1 Kelvin is equivalent to moving up 1 Celsius degree.

This attribute makes the Kelvin scale highly reliable as it remains unaffected by scales in other units, providing clarity and precision.

Celsius scale

The Celsius scale, developed by the Swedish astronomer Anders Celsius, is a common choice for measuring temperature in many parts of the world. It's widely used for day-to-day weather conditions and lab-based temperature settings.
The Celsius scale sets its zero point at the freezing point of water, while 100 degrees Celsius is defined as the boiling point of water under standard atmospheric pressure.

• Freezing point of water: \[ 0^{\circ} \mathrm{C} \]
• Boiling point of water: \[ 100^{\circ} \mathrm{C} \]

Thanks to this clear definition, Celsius is user-friendly and easy to understand.
However, when high precision is required in scientific experiments, the Fahrenheit and Kelvin scales might be more reliable. Despite this, Celsius remains a practical and easy-to-use measurement scale for everyday temperature-related tasks, illustrating its versatility in diverse contexts.