The coldest temperature ever measured in the United States is -80 °F, recorded on January 23, 1971, in Prospect Creek, Alaska. What are the equivalents of that temperature in °C and K, assuming -80 °F is precise to two significant figures?

Verified step by step guidance

1. Start by converting the temperature from Fahrenheit to Celsius using the formula: \( °C = \frac{5}{9} (°F - 32) \).
2. Substitute -80 for °F in the formula: \( °C = \frac{5}{9} (-80 - 32) \).
3. Simplify the expression inside the parentheses: \(-80 - 32 = -112\).
4. Calculate the Celsius temperature: \( °C = \frac{5}{9} \times (-112) \).
5. Convert the Celsius temperature to Kelvin using the formula: \( K = °C + 273.15 \).

Key Concepts

Temperature Scales

Temperature can be measured in different scales, primarily Fahrenheit (°F), Celsius (°C), and Kelvin (K). Each scale has its own zero point and degree increments. Understanding how these scales relate to one another is essential for converting temperatures accurately.

Conversion Formulas

To convert temperatures between Fahrenheit, Celsius, and Kelvin, specific formulas are used. For instance, to convert Fahrenheit to Celsius, the formula is °C = (°F - 32) × 5/9. For Kelvin, the conversion from Celsius is K = °C + 273.15. Mastery of these formulas is crucial for solving temperature conversion problems.

Significant Figures

Significant figures are the digits in a number that contribute to its precision. When performing calculations, it's important to maintain the correct number of significant figures based on the precision of the given data. In this case, -80 °F is precise to two significant figures, which will affect the final results in °C and K.