Absolute Zero Flashcards

All 4 cards in this deck

What is meant by absolute zero?

−273 °C (0 K), the lowest possible temperature, at which the particles have no movement (minimum kinetic energy).

What is the equation linking a temperature in kelvin and the same temperature in degrees Celsius?

temperature (K) = temperature (°C) + 273, so subtract 273 to convert from kelvin to degrees Celsius.

True or false? A temperature on the kelvin scale can be negative.

False. 0 K is absolute zero, the lowest possible temperature, so kelvin temperatures are never negative.

True or false? A temperature change of 1 °C is the same size as a temperature change of 1 K.

True. Both scales have the same size of degree; the kelvin scale just starts 273 degrees lower, at absolute zero.