Question

Which of the following is correct?
A) $0K = 273^\circ C$
B) $0K = - 273^\circ C$
C) $273K = - 373^\circ C$
D) $0K = - 373^\circ C$

Answer 1

These are temperature conversion problems. We have to use a temperature conversion formula. For the current problem we will use formula relating Kelvin and degree Celsius only. In calorimetry problems we use temperature conversions often.

Formula used:
${T_C} = {T_K} - 273$
Where, ${T_C}$ is temperature in degree Celsius $(^\circ C)$
${T_K}$ is temperature in Kelvin scale $(K)$

Complete step by step answer:
Now from the formula we know that the difference between temperature in Kelvin scale and degree Celsius is $273$ .
Now we will analyse every option for a difference value of $273$ between Kelvins and degree Celsius.
For option A, the difference is $273$ but it is between degree Celsius and Kelvins.

For option B, the difference is $273$ between Kelvins and degree Celsius.

For option C, the difference is $646$ and for option D it is $373$ .

Thus the correct answer is option (B).

Additional information:
If the question asks to convert from degree Celsius to degree Fahrenheit or from Kelvins to degree Fahrenheit, we can use the following formula.
${T_C} = {T_K} - 273 = \dfrac{5}{9}({T_F} - 32)$
Where, ${T_F}$ is temperature in degree Fahrenheit $(^\circ F)$
${T_C}$ is temperature in degree Celsius $(^\circ C)$
${T_K}$ is temperature in Kelvin scale $(K)$
Let’s consider converting $10^\circ C$ to degree Fahrenheit and Kelvins.
For converting into degree Fahrenheit, let’s substitute the values in the above formula.
We get, $10 = \dfrac{5}{9}({T_F} - 32)$
$\Rightarrow {T_F} - 32 = 18$
$\Rightarrow {T_F} = 50$
So, $10^\circ C$in degree Fahrenheit is $50^\circ F$.
For converting into Kelvins, again let’s substitute respective values in the above formula.
We get, $10 = {T_K} - 273$
$\Rightarrow {T_K} = 283$
So, $10^\circ C$ in degree Kelvins is $283K$

Most of the thermometers use mercury to measure temperature, which we see in daily use. However there are several different types of thermometers like, gas thermometer, platinum resistance thermometer, thermocouple thermometer, radiation thermometer.

Notes: These questions are formula based. The formulas are also not that difficult to remember. Just keep in mind that $0^\circ C$ means $273K$. For conversions to Fahrenheit scale, use the above mentioned formula.