5.3.1

Kelvin Scale & Absolute Zero

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Kelvin Scale and Absolute Zero

Absolute zero defines the start of the Kelvin temperature scale.

Absolute zero

Absolute zero

  • As we increase the temperature of an object, we give kinetic energy to its particles, making them move around more.
  • The hotter an object gets, the more its particles move around.
  • Therefore the colder an object gets, the less its particles move around.
  • So there must be a temperature where all the particles completely stop moving - they have zero kinetic energy.
  • This temperature is called absolute zero.
Absolute zero

Absolute zero

  • Absolute zero is at 0K or -273°C.
  • It is the lowest possible temperature anything can ever reach.
Kelvin temperature scale (K)

Kelvin temperature scale (K)

  • Absolute zero is set as the start of the Kelvin temperature scale.
  • The increments of the Kelvin scale are the same as that of the Celsius scale (an increase of 1K is the same as an increase of 1°C).
Kelvin temperature scale (K)

Kelvin temperature scale (K)

  • To convert Celsius to Kelvin, simply add 273.
  • To convert from Kelvin to degrees Celsius, simply subtract 273.
    • E.g. 100°C is equivalent to 373K.
Jump to other topics
1

Forces & Motion

1.1

Basics of Motion

1.2

Forces

1.3

Effects of Forces

1.4

Stopping Distance

1.5

Forces & Elasticity

2

Electricity

3

Waves

4

Energy Resources & Energy Transfers

5

Solids, Liquids & Gases

6

Magnetism & Electromagnetism

7

Radioactivity & Particles

8

Astrophysics

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