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Temperature is a measure of how hot or cold an object is. It is measured using three different scales: Fahrenheit, Celsius, and Kelvin.
- Celsius and Kelvin are both scales to measure temperature, but they have different zero points.
- The Celsius scale is set so that 0 degrees Celsius is the freezing point of water.
- 100 degrees Celsius is the boiling point of water.
- The Kelvin scale is set so that 0 degrees Kelvin is absolute zero.
- It is the point where all molecular motion stops.
To convert from Celsius to Kelvin, we need to add 273.15 to the Celsius value. To convert from Kelvin to Celsius, we need to subtract 273.15 from the value. Kelvin scale is the most widely used temperature scale in science and engineering. This is because the Kelvin scale is based on absolute zero, which is a universal reference point.
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Key Terms: Celsius, Kelvin, Temperature, Absolute Zero, Molecular Motion, Boiling Point
Relation between Celsius and Kelvin
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The Celsius and Kelvin scales temperature scales are related by the following equation:
K = C + 273.15
where:
- K is the temperature in Kelvin
- C is the temperature in Celsius
Therefore, to convert a value from Celsius to Kelvin, 273.15 is added to it. To convert from Kelvin to Celsius, 273.15 is subtracted from the value.
The two scales are related as they have the same unit size. A one-degree change in temperature on the Celsius scale is the same as a one-degree change on the Kelvin scale.
Celsius to Kelvin Conversion
To convert Celsius to Kelvin, the following formula can be used -
K = C + 273
Where,
- K is the Kelvin scale temperature.
- C is the Celsius scale temperature.
| Example: Convert 20 degrees Celsius to Kelvin. Solution: Formula: Kelvin = Celsius + 273.15 20 degrees Celsius + 273.15 = 293.15 Kelvin Therefore, 20 degrees Celsius is equal to 293.15 Kelvin. |
Kelvin to Celsius Conversion
To convert Kelvin to Celsius, the following formula can be used -
C = K - 273
Where,
- C is the temperature in Celsius.
- K is the temperature in Kelvin.
| Example: Convert 300 Kelvin to Celsius. Solution: To convert 300 K to Celsius, we use the relation between Celsius and Kelvin - C = K - 273 → 300 Kelvin - 273.15 = 26.85 degrees Celsius |
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Celsius Scale
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Celsius scale, used to measure temperature, is named after Anders Celsius, a Swedish astronomer.
- The freezing point of water is 0 degrees Celsius.
- The boiling point of water is 100 degrees Celsius.
- To convert from Celsius to Kelvin, add 273.15 to the value.
- The Celsius scale is divided into 100 degrees.
- Each degree Celsius represents a change in temperature of 1/100th of the difference between the freezing and boiling points of water.
Kelvin Scale
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The Kelvin scale is an absolute temperature scale, which means that it has a true zero point. Absolute zero is the point at which all molecular motion ceases.
- Kelvin is the SI unit of temperature.
- 0 Kelvin is equal to -273.15 degrees Celsius.
Things to Remember
- Celsius is a relative temperature scale, while Kelvin is an absolute temperature scale.
- Absolute zero is equal to 0 Kelvin.
- The freezing point of water is 0 degrees Celsius and 273.15 Kelvin.
- The boiling point of water is 100 degrees Celsius and 373.15 Kelvin.
- To convert from Celsius to Kelvin, add 273.15.
Sample Questions
Ques. What is the formula of Kelvin to Celsius? (1 mark)
Ans. The formula for converting temperature from Kelvin to Celsius is
Celsius = Kelvin - 273.15
Ques. What is the relation between Kelvin and Fahrenheit? (1 mark)
Ans. The relationship between Kelvin and Fahrenheit is as follows:
K = (F - 32) × 5/9 + 273.15
where:
- K is the temperature in Kelvin
- F is the temperature in Fahrenheit
Ques. Which is greater 1 Kelvin or 1 Celsius? (1 mark)
Ans. 1 Kelvin is greater than 1 Celsius. Absolute zero is -273.15 degrees Celsius, so 1 Kelvin is equal to -272.15 degrees Celsius.
Ques. Is 1 Kelvin absolute zero? (1 mark)
Ans. No, 1 Kelvin is not absolute zero. Absolute zero is defined as 0 Kelvin or -273.15 degrees Celsius. Therefore, 1 Kelvin is 1 degree above absolute zero.
Ques. What is the relation between Kelvin and Celsius scales? (1 mark)
Ans. The Kelvin and Celsius scales are related by the following formula:
K = C + 273.15
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