Kelvin to Celsius (K to °C)

Kelvin to Celsius (K to °C) conversion calculator

0K = -273.15°C

Celsius to Kelvin (°C to K) (Swap units)

0K = -273.15°C

Accuracy

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Kelvin to Celsius (K to °C) calculation

Celsius = Kelvin - 273.15

Celsius = 0 - 273.15

Celsius = -273.15

 

Kelvin to Celsius (K to ℃) conversion formula

Celsius = Kelvin - 273.15

How to I convert from Kelvin to Celsius?

Converting from Kelvin to Celsius is a straightforward process that involves subtracting 273.15 from the given temperature in Kelvin. The Kelvin scale is an absolute temperature scale, where 0 Kelvin (K) represents absolute zero, the point at which all molecular motion ceases. On the other hand, the Celsius scale is a relative temperature scale, with 0 degrees Celsius (°C) representing the freezing point of water and 100 degrees Celsius representing the boiling point of water at standard atmospheric pressure.

To convert a temperature from Kelvin to Celsius, simply subtract 273.15 from the given temperature in Kelvin. For example, if we have a temperature of 300 Kelvin, the conversion would be as follows: 300 K - 273.15 = 26.85 °C

Therefore, a temperature of 300 Kelvin is equivalent to 26.85 degrees Celsius. It is important to note that the Kelvin scale is often used in scientific and engineering applications, where absolute temperature measurements are required. The Celsius scale, on the other hand, is commonly used in everyday life and weather forecasts. Understanding how to convert between these two scales is essential for accurate temperature measurements and comparisons.

Why convert from Kelvin to Celsius?

Converting from Kelvin to Celsius is a common practice in the field of science and engineering. While both Kelvin and Celsius are temperature scales, they have different starting points and units of measurement. The Kelvin scale is an absolute temperature scale, where zero Kelvin (0 K) represents absolute zero, the point at which all molecular motion ceases. On the other hand, the Celsius scale is a relative temperature scale, where zero degrees Celsius (0 °C) represents the freezing point of water.

Converting from Kelvin to Celsius is useful for several reasons. Firstly, the Celsius scale is more commonly used in everyday life and in many scientific applications. By converting temperatures from Kelvin to Celsius, it becomes easier to relate them to familiar temperature ranges and understand their practical implications. Additionally, many scientific formulas and equations are based on the Celsius scale, making it necessary to convert temperatures from Kelvin to Celsius for accurate calculations. Furthermore, converting from Kelvin to Celsius allows for easier comparison and analysis of temperature data, as it aligns with the temperature scale commonly used in weather forecasts, climate studies, and other scientific research. Overall, converting from Kelvin to Celsius is essential for practicality, compatibility, and better understanding of temperature measurements.

About Celsius

Celsius and Kelvin are two commonly used temperature scales in the field of science and everyday life. The Celsius scale, also known as the centigrade scale, is named after the Swedish astronomer Anders Celsius. It is based on the concept of dividing the range between the freezing and boiling points of water into 100 equal intervals. The freezing point of water is defined as 0 degrees Celsius, while the boiling point is defined as 100 degrees Celsius at standard atmospheric pressure.

The Celsius scale is commonly used in weather forecasts, household thermometers, and cooking, while the Kelvin scale is primarily used in scientific experiments, thermodynamics, and calculations involving gases.

About Kelvin

Kelvin, also known as the Kelvin scale, is a unit of measurement for temperature in the International System of Units (SI). It is named after the Scottish physicist William Thomson, 1st Baron Kelvin, who made significant contributions to the field of thermodynamics. The Kelvin scale is based on the absolute zero point, which is the lowest possible temperature where all molecular motion ceases.

Unlike most other temperature scales, Kelvin does not use degrees. Instead, it measures temperature in kelvins (K). The Kelvin scale is often used in scientific and engineering applications, particularly in fields like physics, chemistry, and meteorology. It is considered an absolute temperature scale because it starts from absolute zero, which is equivalent to -273.15 degrees Celsius or -459.67 degrees Fahrenheit.

One of the key advantages of the Kelvin scale is that it allows for precise and consistent measurements of temperature. It is particularly useful in scientific research and calculations involving gases, as it directly relates to the kinetic energy of molecules. Additionally, the Kelvin scale is used in many scientific formulas and equations, making it an essential tool for scientists and engineers worldwide.

What happens at absolute zero (0K)?

At absolute zero, also known as 0 Kelvin (0K) or -273.15 degrees Celsius, the temperature is at its lowest possible point. At this extreme temperature, the kinetic energy of atoms and molecules reaches its minimum, causing them to come to a complete standstill. As a result, all molecular motion ceases, and matter becomes as still as it can be.

At this temperature, several fascinating phenomena occur. One of the most notable is the complete absence of heat energy. As there is no molecular motion, there is no transfer of heat from one object to another. This absence of heat energy has significant implications for various physical properties. For instance, materials become extremely brittle, and their electrical resistance drops to zero. Additionally, gases condense into liquids, and liquids freeze into solids, as the lack of molecular motion prevents them from maintaining their fluid state.

Scientists have never been able to achieve absolute zero in practice, as it is an idealized concept. However, by cooling substances to extremely low temperatures, they have been able to observe and study the effects of approaching absolute zero. These experiments have provided valuable insights into the behavior of matter and have led to the development of technologies such as superconductors and Bose-Einstein condensates.

Why can you not go below -273.15°C?

The temperature of -273.15°C, also known as absolute zero, is the lowest possible temperature that can be achieved in the universe. It is the point at which all molecular motion ceases, and no further decrease in temperature is theoretically possible. At this temperature, the kinetic energy of particles reaches its minimum, and they come to a complete standstill.

The concept of absolute zero is based on the Kelvin scale, which is an absolute temperature scale. Unlike the Celsius or Fahrenheit scales, the Kelvin scale starts from absolute zero as its zero point. In the Kelvin scale, absolute zero is defined as 0 Kelvin (0K). This scale is used in scientific and engineering applications where precise temperature measurements are required.

Going below -273.15°C or 0K is not possible because it violates the laws of thermodynamics. As temperature decreases, the energy of particles decreases, and they lose their ability to move. At absolute zero, the particles have no energy left to give up, and any further decrease in temperature would require them to possess negative energy, which is not physically possible. Therefore, -273.15°C or 0K represents the lower limit of temperature in our universe.

Why can't you get a negative Kelvin value?

Kelvin is the unit of measurement for temperature in the International System of Units (SI). It is an absolute temperature scale, meaning it starts at absolute zero, which is the lowest possible temperature. Absolute zero is defined as 0 Kelvin (K) or -273.15 degrees Celsius (°C). The Kelvin scale is based on the behaviour of gases, where temperature is directly proportional to the average kinetic energy of the particles.

The reason why you cannot have a negative Kelvin value is rooted in the concept of temperature itself. Temperature is a measure of the thermal energy of a system, and it represents the direction in which heat flows. At absolute zero, the particles in a system have the minimum possible energy and are at their lowest possible state of motion. As a result, there is no lower energy level to reach, and it is not physically possible for a system to have less energy than absolute zero.

In essence, negative Kelvin values would imply that a system has less than zero thermal energy, which contradicts the fundamental principles of thermodynamics. Therefore, the Kelvin scale does not extend into negative values. It is important to note that negative temperatures do exist in other temperature scales, such as the Celsius and Fahrenheit scales, but these scales are not absolute and do not represent the same physical properties as the Kelvin scale.

Why is Kelvin quoted as K and not °K?

This abbreviation choice is based on the fact that Kelvin is an absolute temperature scale, where zero Kelvin (0 K) represents absolute zero, the point at which all molecular motion ceases. Unlike the Celsius and Fahrenheit scales, which have arbitrary zero points, the Kelvin scale is based on the absolute thermodynamic temperature.

By omitting the degree symbol, it emphasizes that Kelvin is not a degree but a unit of measurement on its own, representing the magnitude of temperature relative to absolute zero. The use of "K" instead of "°K" for Kelvin is a result of the SI convention to reserve the degree symbol for relative temperature scales. This distinction highlights the absolute nature of the Kelvin scale and its reference to absolute zero.

 

Kelvin to Celsius table

Starting value
Increment
Accuracy
Format
Kelvin
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Celsius
-273.15°C
-272.15°C
-271.15°C
-270.15°C
-269.15°C
-268.15°C
-267.15°C
-266.15°C
-265.15°C
-264.15°C
Kelvin
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
Celsius
-263.15°C
-262.15°C
-261.15°C
-260.15°C
-259.15°C
-258.15°C
-257.15°C
-256.15°C
-255.15°C
-254.15°C
Kelvin
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
Celsius
-253.15°C
-252.15°C
-251.15°C
-250.15°C
-249.15°C
-248.15°C
-247.15°C
-246.15°C
-245.15°C
-244.15°C
Kelvin
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
Celsius
-243.15°C
-242.15°C
-241.15°C
-240.15°C
-239.15°C
-238.15°C
-237.15°C
-236.15°C
-235.15°C
-234.15°C
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