Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: add 273 to the Celsius temperature
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
Temperature can be expressed in different scales, the most common being Celsius and Kelvin. The Kelvin scale is the SI unit of temperature and is widely used in scientific calculations. Understanding how to convert between Celsius and Kelvin is basic but essential knowledge in physics and chemistry.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
The Celsius and Kelvin scales have the same size degree, but their zero points differ. Absolute zero, the lowest possible temperature, is 0 kelvin, which corresponds to approximately minus 273 degree Celsius. Therefore, the relation is K = degree Celsius + 273. For most school level problems, the rounding to 273 is sufficient, though more precisely it is 273.15. The key point is that you add 273 to convert Celsius to Kelvin.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Verification / Alternative check:
Take a familiar example. The freezing point of water is 0 degree Celsius. On the Kelvin scale, this temperature is 273 kelvin. Since we know that 0 plus 273 equals 273, the formula K = degree Celsius + 273 is confirmed. Similarly, 100 degree Celsius corresponds to about 373 kelvin, again adding 273.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A: Subtract 273 would give negative values for many ordinary temperatures and does not match the known conversion.
Option B: Multiply by 273 would produce extremely large values that do not correspond to known Kelvin temperatures.
Option D: Divide by 273 would drastically reduce the temperature value and has no physical meaning in this context.
Common Pitfalls:
Some students confuse the difference between degrees and the actual scale shift. They might remember the number 273 but use it in the wrong operation. To avoid this, remember a simple reference: 0 degree Celsius is 273 kelvin, so you must add 273 to move from Celsius to Kelvin.
Final Answer:
To convert Celsius to Kelvin you must add 273 to the Celsius temperature.
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