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Ch.1 - Matter, Measurement & Problem Solving
Chapter 1, Problem 53

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