Convert the following temperatures to Kelvin: -55 °C, 46 °C, -26°F, and 78 °F

Convert the following temperatures to Kelvin: -55 °C, 46 °C, -26°F, and 78 °F.

The correct answer and explanation is:

To convert temperatures to Kelvin (K), we need to follow two different methods depending on whether the temperature is given in Celsius (°C) or Fahrenheit (°F).

🔹 Celsius to Kelvin:

The formula is: K=°C+273.15K = °C + 273.15

• -55 °C:

K=−55+273.15=218.15 KK = -55 + 273.15 = 218.15 \, K

• 46 °C:

K=46+273.15=319.15 KK = 46 + 273.15 = 319.15 \, K

🔹 Fahrenheit to Kelvin:

First, convert °F to °C using: °C=(°F−32)×59°C = (°F – 32) \times \frac{5}{9}

Then convert °C to Kelvin as above.

• -26 °F:
  1. Convert to °C:
  °C=(−26−32)×59=(−58)×59=−32.22 °C°C = (-26 – 32) \times \frac{5}{9} = (-58) \times \frac{5}{9} = -32.22 \, °C
  2. Convert to Kelvin:
  K=−32.22+273.15=240.93 KK = -32.22 + 273.15 = 240.93 \, K
• 78 °F:
  1. Convert to °C:
  °C=(78−32)×59=46×59=25.56 °C°C = (78 – 32) \times \frac{5}{9} = 46 \times \frac{5}{9} = 25.56 \, °C
  2. Convert to Kelvin:
  K=25.56+273.15=298.71 KK = 25.56 + 273.15 = 298.71 \, K

✅ Final Answers:

• -55 °C = 218.15 K
• 46 °C = 319.15 K
• -26 °F = 240.93 K
• 78 °F = 298.71 K

💡 Explanation (300 words):

Temperature is a fundamental physical quantity that measures the average kinetic energy of particles in a substance. Kelvin (K) is the SI unit for temperature and is used in scientific contexts because it starts from absolute zero — the theoretical point where particles have no kinetic energy.

To convert Celsius to Kelvin, we use the simple relation: add 273.15. This is because 0 °C is equivalent to 273.15 K — the freezing point of water on both scales. For instance, -55 °C is well below freezing and results in a Kelvin temperature of 218.15 K, while 46 °C is warm and equals 319.15 K.

Fahrenheit is a scale commonly used in the United States and requires a two-step process for conversion to Kelvin. First, convert to Celsius using the formula (°F−32)×59(°F – 32) \times \frac{5}{9}, then add 273.15 to get Kelvin. For example, -26 °F is quite cold and equals approximately 240.93 K. On the other hand, 78 °F, which is a pleasant room temperature, converts to 298.71 K.

Using Kelvin is especially important in scientific research involving thermodynamics, physics, and chemistry, because it simplifies equations and accurately reflects absolute temperature differences.