Convert each temperature. a. 212 °F to °C (temperature of boiling water at sea level) b. 22 °C to K (approximate room temperature) c. 0.00 K to °F (coldest temperature possible, also known as absolute zero) d. 2.735 K to °C (average temperature of the universe as measured from background black body radiation)

Key Concepts

Temperature Scales

Temperature can be measured using different scales, primarily Celsius (°C), Fahrenheit (°F), and Kelvin (K). Each scale has its own zero point and degree increments. For example, water freezes at 0 °C and boils at 100 °C, while in Fahrenheit, these points are 32 °F and 212 °F, respectively. Kelvin is an absolute scale starting at absolute zero, where 0 K is equivalent to -273.15 °C.

Conversion Formulas

To convert between temperature scales, specific formulas are used. For Celsius to Fahrenheit, the formula is °F = (°C × 9/5) + 32. For Celsius to Kelvin, the conversion is K = °C + 273.15. These formulas allow for accurate temperature conversions, which are essential in scientific calculations and understanding thermal properties.

Absolute Zero

Absolute zero is the theoretical lowest temperature possible, defined as 0 K, where molecular motion ceases. In Celsius, this is -273.15 °C, and in Fahrenheit, it is approximately -459.67 °F. Understanding absolute zero is crucial in thermodynamics and helps in grasping the behavior of matter at extremely low temperatures, such as in cryogenics.