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Absolute temperature facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Absolute temperature, also called thermodynamic temperature, is the temperature of an object on a scale where 0 is taken as absolute zero. Absolute temperature scales are Kelvin (degree units Celsius) and Rankine (degree unit Fahrenheit).

Absolute zero is the temperature at which a system is in the state of lowest possible (minimum) energy. As molecules approach this temperature their movements drop towards zero. It is the lowest temperature a gas thermometer can measure. No electronic devices work at this temperature. The Kinetic energy of the molecules becomes negligible or zero.

Examples

Common temperatures in the absolute scale are:

  • 0 °C (freezing point of water) = 273.15 K
  • 25 °C (room temperature) = 298.15 K
  • 100 °C (boiling point of water) = 373.15 K
  • 0K (absolute zero) = - 273.15 Celsius
  • 233.15K (equal measures in Celsius and Fahrenheit)=-40 Celsius
  • Triple point of water= 273.16K (equal measure in Celsius) 0.01°c.

Conversion

To convert from the Celsius scale into the absolute temperature, you add 273.15 and change °C to K. To get a temperature on the absolute scale to the Celsius scale, subtract 273.15 and change K to °C. This is normally used in the science world. Kelvin is used globally as a part of the International System of Units. It is one of the 7 base units of the system. The value of Absolute temperature is 0K.

  • Celsius to Kelvin: K=C+273.15
  • Kelvin to Celsius: C=K-273.15
  • Fahrenheit to Rankine: R=F+459.67
  • Rankine to Fahrenheit: F=R-459.67

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