On the Kelvin temperature scale, the melting point of ice (equivalent to 0 °C) is equal to how many kelvin?

Introduction / Context:
Temperature can be measured on different scales, such as Celsius, Fahrenheit and Kelvin. The Kelvin scale is an absolute temperature scale widely used in physics and chemistry because it starts from absolute zero. This question asks you to convert the familiar melting point of ice from degrees Celsius to the Kelvin scale, a simple but frequently tested concept.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The melting point of pure ice at standard atmospheric pressure is 0 °C.
• The Kelvin scale is related to the Celsius scale by a fixed offset.
• We must compute the corresponding temperature in kelvin.
• We assume standard conversion without any experimental variation.

Concept / Approach:
The Kelvin scale is defined so that absolute zero, the lowest possible temperature where molecular motion is minimal, is 0 K. The relationship between Celsius and Kelvin is given by: K = °C + 273 (more precisely, 273.15, but many basic problems use 273 for simplicity). Therefore, to convert a temperature from Celsius to Kelvin, we simply add 273. Applying this to 0 °C directly gives the answer.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Write the conversion formula between the Celsius and Kelvin scales: K = °C + 273. Step 2: Substitute the melting point of ice, 0 °C, into the formula. Step 3: Calculate K = 0 + 273. Step 4: This gives K = 273. Step 5: Therefore, 0 °C corresponds to 273 K on the Kelvin scale.

Verification / Alternative check:
We also know that the boiling point of water at standard pressure is 100 °C, which corresponds to approximately 373 K (since 100 + 273 = 373). The difference between the freezing and boiling points of water is 100 °C on the Celsius scale and also 100 K on the Kelvin scale, showing that both scales use the same size degree, just shifted by 273. This consistency confirms that 0 °C must be 273 K. Any other value would disrupt the known relationship between the two fixed points.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
373 K: This corresponds to about 100 °C, the boiling point of water, not the melting point of ice.

100 K: This would imply a Celsius temperature of -173 °C, far below the freezing point of water.
0 K: This is absolute zero, the theoretical temperature at which all classical motion of particles stops. It is not the melting point of ice.

Common Pitfalls:
Some learners either forget the exact offset between Celsius and Kelvin or confuse the boiling point and freezing point values. A quick memory aid is: freezing point of water is 0 °C or 273 K, boiling point is 100 °C or 373 K. Remember that the scale shift is always 273 (or 273.15 in more precise work), and the size of one degree is the same in both Celsius and Kelvin.

Final Answer:
On the Kelvin scale, the melting point of ice is 273 K.