When doing gas law calculations, t must always be in units of kelvin. convert 52oc to?
A) 273k
B) 325k
C) 221k
D)14,200 k
The correct Answer and Explanation is :
To convert a temperature from Celsius to Kelvin, use the following formula:
[
T(K) = T(°C) + 273.15
]
In this case, we are converting 52°C to Kelvin:
[
T(K) = 52°C + 273.15 = 325.15 K
]
Therefore, the correct answer is B) 325 K.
Explanation:
In gas law calculations, the temperature must always be in Kelvin because Kelvin is an absolute temperature scale that directly relates to the kinetic energy of gas particles. Celsius and Fahrenheit are relative scales, meaning they do not start from absolute zero, which is the temperature at which molecular motion theoretically stops.
Using Celsius or Fahrenheit in gas law equations, such as the Ideal Gas Law (PV = nRT), would yield incorrect results because these scales do not properly reflect the relationship between temperature and particle energy. Kelvin, however, starts at absolute zero, ensuring the direct proportionality required by these laws.
The formula for converting Celsius to Kelvin is simple: you add 273.15 to the Celsius temperature. This is because 0°C is equivalent to 273.15 K, which is based on the fact that the absolute zero (0 K) is -273.15°C.
For example, 52°C is moderately warm, but adding 273.15 to it gives us 325.15 K, which properly reflects the absolute energy state of the gas. For simplicity, we often round the result to the nearest whole number, so 52°C becomes 325 K.
To summarize:
- Gas laws like Boyle’s Law, Charles’s Law, and the Ideal Gas Law require temperature in Kelvin.
- Using Kelvin avoids negative temperatures in gas law equations, which would be nonsensical in the context of molecular motion.