The temperature of outer space is about -270 degrees C. What is this temperature on the Kelvin scale?
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer:
To convert -270°C to the Kelvin scale, use the formula:
K = °C + 273.15
K = -270 + 273.15 = 3.15 K
Textbook-Style Explanation
Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of particles in a substance. It can be expressed in different scales, including Celsius (°C), Fahrenheit (°F), and Kelvin (K). While Celsius and Fahrenheit are commonly used in everyday contexts, the Kelvin scale is widely used in scientific research, especially in physics and astronomy. The Kelvin scale starts at absolute zero, the lowest possible temperature, where particles theoretically stop moving. Absolute zero is equivalent to -273.15°C or 0 K.
To convert a temperature from degrees Celsius to Kelvin, the formula used is:
Kelvin = Celsius + 273.15
This formula arises from the definition of the Kelvin scale, which was designed so that 0 K corresponds exactly to -273.15°C. Thus, any temperature in Celsius can be shifted up by 273.15 to get the equivalent value on the Kelvin scale.
The temperature of outer space is approximately -270°C. This extremely low temperature exists because space is nearly a perfect vacuum, with very few particles to absorb or transfer heat. Using the conversion formula:
K = -270 + 273.15 = 3.15 K
This means that the temperature of outer space is just a few degrees above absolute zero. At this temperature, atomic motion is minimal, and thermal energy is extremely low.
The Kelvin scale is particularly important in astronomy and thermodynamics because it provides an absolute reference point for measuring thermal energy. Unlike the Celsius and Fahrenheit scales, the Kelvin scale does not use degrees—temperature is simply expressed in kelvins, and no negative values exist. This makes calculations involving gas laws, blackbody radiation, and entropy more straightforward and meaningful in scientific analysis.
