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The Kelvin Scale (CIE A Level Physics)

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Scale of thermodynamic temperature

  • Temperature is a scalar quantity measured in degrees Celsius (°C) or kelvin (K)
    • Kelvin is the SI base unit for temperature

The Kelvin scale

  • The scale of thermodynamic temperature does not depend on the property of any particular substance
    • The thermodynamic temperature scale is also known as the Kelvin scale
  • The thermodynamic scale is an absolute scale because it is not defined in terms of the properties of any particular substances
    • This is unlike the degrees Celsius (oC) temperature scale which is based on the properties of water

The degrees Celsius scale

  • When the degrees Celsius (oC) temperature scale was created 
    • The freezing point of water was taken as taken as 0 oC
    • The boiling point as 100 oC
  • The Celsius scale measures the temperature in a liquid-in-glass thermometer
    • The expansion of the liquid is not always linear

Using the Kelvin scale

  • Temperatures in the Celsius scale, θ, and temperatures in the Kelvin scale, T,  can be converted using the equation:

θ / oC = T / K − 273.15

T / K = θ / oC + 273.15

Conversion chart for Kelvin and CelsiusK and Celsius conversion chart, downloadable AS & A Level Physics revision notes

Conversion chart relating the temperature on the Kelvin and Celsius scales.

  • The divisions on both scales are equal which means that:

A change in a temperature of 1 K is equal to a change in temperature of 1 oC

Worked example

In many ideal gas problems, room temperature is considered to be 300 K.

What is this temperature in Celsius?

 

Answer

Step 1:            Kelvin to Celsius equation

θ / oC = T / K − 273.15

Step 2:            Substitute in value of 300 K

300 K − 273.15 = 26.85 oC

Examiner Tip

If you forget in the exam whether it’s +273.15 or −273.15, just remember that 0 oC = 273.15 K. This way, when you know that you need to +273.15 to a temperature in degrees to get a temperature in Kelvin. For example:  0 oC + 273.15 = 273.15 K.

Absolute zero

  • The lowest possible temperature on the thermodynamic temperature scale, known as absolute zero, is zero Kelvin 
    • It is not possible to have a temperature lower than 0 K
    • So a temperature in Kelvin will never be a negative value
  • Absolute zero corresponds to the temperature at which the average kinetic energy of the molecules is at its minimum
    • It is not possible to remove any more energy from a system with a temperature of 0 K
    • Even in space, the temperature is roughly 2.7 K, just above absolute zero
  • The absolute temperature of a body is directly proportional to the average kinetic energy of the molecules within the body

Temperature-kinetic energy graph

Absolute temperature and kinetic energy of molecules, downloadable IB Physics revision notes

At absolute zero, the temperature is zero Kelvin and the kinetic energy of the molecules is zero

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Katie M

Author: Katie M

Expertise: Physics

Katie has always been passionate about the sciences, and completed a degree in Astrophysics at Sheffield University. She decided that she wanted to inspire other young people, so moved to Bristol to complete a PGCE in Secondary Science. She particularly loves creating fun and absorbing materials to help students achieve their exam potential.