In the winter, a heated home in the Northeast might be maintained at a temperature of 71 °F. What is this temperature on the Celsius and Kelvin scales?
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer:
- Celsius: 21.7 °C
- Kelvin: 294.9 K
To convert the temperature from Fahrenheit to Celsius and Kelvin, we begin by using the formula that relates the Fahrenheit (°F) and Celsius (°C) temperature scales. The conversion formula is:
°C = (°F − 32) × 5⁄9
Substituting the given Fahrenheit temperature of 71 °F:
°C = (71 − 32) × 5⁄9 = 39 × 5⁄9 = 195⁄9 ≈ 21.7 °C
Now that the temperature is in Celsius, convert it to Kelvin using the formula:
K = °C + 273.15
Substituting the Celsius value:
K = 21.7 + 273.15 = 294.85 K, which rounds to 294.9 K
Understanding temperature scales is important in science and daily life. The Fahrenheit scale is commonly used in the United States for weather and household temperature readings, while the Celsius scale is used in most of the world and in scientific contexts. The Kelvin scale is used in physics and other sciences because it begins at absolute zero, the theoretical point where molecular motion stops.
A home heated to 71 °F in the winter feels comfortable to most people. When translated into Celsius, 21.7 °C falls within the commonly accepted room temperature range of 20 to 22 °C. The Kelvin scale adds 273.15 to the Celsius temperature because it is an absolute scale. Even though it is not used in daily settings, Kelvin is essential in calculating changes in thermal energy or conducting experiments involving temperature.
These conversions help in comparing temperatures across different regions and fields. They also show how all three scales are interconnected through simple formulas.