Absolute temperature
What is absolute temperature?
- Temperature measured in kelvin is called absolute temperature
- The kelvin temperature scale begins at absolute zero
- 0 K is equal to -273 °C
- An increase of 1 K is the same change as an increase of 1 °C
- It is not possible to have a temperature lower than 0 K
- This means a temperature in kelvin will never have a negative value
- To convert between temperatures θ in the Celsius scale, and T in the Kelvin scale, use the following conversion:
θ / °C = T / K − 273
T / K = θ / °C + 273
Conversion chart relating the temperature on the Kelvin and Celsius scales
Worked example
Convert the following values between the Kelvin (absolute) and Celsius scales of temperature.
Part (a)
Step 1: Choose whether to add or subtract 273 to the value
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- The question is in kelvin therefore subtract 273 to convert to Celsius
Step 2: Do the calculation
Step 3: Write the answer with units
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- 0K = −273 °C
Part (b)
Step 1: Choose whether to add or subtract 273 to the value
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- The question is in Celsius therefore add 273 to convert to kelvin
Step 2: Do the calculation
Step 3: Write the answer with units
-
- 0 °C = 273 K
Part (c)
Step 1: Choose whether to add or subtract 273 to the value
-
- The question is in Celsius therefore add 273 to convert to kelvin
Step 2: Do the calculation
Step 3: Write the answer with units
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- 20 °C = 293 K