BeginnerTopic 5 of 105Thermodynamics & Fluids

Temperature scales

Celsius, Fahrenheit and Kelvin; absolute zero is 0 K.

In depth

Kelvin is absolute (0 K = -273.15 °C); T(K)=T(°C)+273.15; °F=1.8°C+32. Thermodynamic equations require absolute temperature. The ITS-90 defines practical scale fixed points such as the triple point of water at 273.16 K.

Key points

  • Temperature differences same in K and °C
  • Rankine for °F absolute
  • Use K in ideal gas law
Example

Room temperature 20 °C is 293.15 K.

Why it matters

Absolute temperature is needed in the gas laws and efficiency formulas, so using Celsius in those equations gives wrong answers.

Where this is used

  • Converting a boiler outlet temperature to kelvin for an efficiency calculation.
  • Checking the temperature in the ideal gas law.
  • Comparing the temperatures of two heat sources in a Carnot calculation.

Frequently asked questions

What is Temperature scales?

Celsius, Fahrenheit and Kelvin; absolute zero is 0 K.

Why is it important to understand temperature scales?

Absolute temperature is needed in the gas laws and efficiency formulas, so using Celsius in those equations gives wrong answers.

Why must I use kelvin in thermodynamic formulas?

Ratios of temperatures in efficiency and gas law formulas only make sense on an absolute scale that starts at zero.

How do I convert Celsius to kelvin?

Add 273.15 to the Celsius value, so 25 degrees Celsius is 298.15 K.

How is Temperature scales used in practice?

Typical applications include converting a boiler outlet temperature to kelvin for an efficiency calculation, checking the temperature in the ideal gas law and comparing the temperatures of two heat sources in a Carnot calculation.

What should I learn before Temperature scales?

Study "Temperature and zeroth law" first (topic 4 of 105 in Thermodynamics & Fluids). It covers the groundwork this topic builds on.

What are the key points of Temperature scales?

Temperature differences same in K and °C. Rankine for °F absolute. Use K in ideal gas law.

Can you give an example of Temperature scales?

Room temperature 20 °C is 293.15 K.

What comes after Temperature scales?

The next topic is "Pressure", which builds directly on this one.

How difficult is Temperature scales?

It is classed as Beginner in Thermodynamics & Fluids (topic 5 of 105). It is an entry-level topic. It relies only on basic school mathematics and the ideas introduced earlier in this discipline.

Learning path

Want to practise? Open the interactive course for quick checks, quizzes, simulations and progress tracking.

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