The Kelvin (K) and degree Celsius (°C) are two different temperature scales used in scientific and everyday contexts. The Kelvin scale is an absolute temperature scale, while the Celsius scale is a relative temperature scale.
The Kelvin scale is based on the absolute zero point, where 0 Kelvin represents the absence of any thermal energy. It is commonly used in scientific calculations, especially in fields like physics and chemistry. The Kelvin scale uses the same size units as the Celsius scale, meaning that one Kelvin is equal in size to one degree Celsius. The Kelvin scale does not use the degree symbol (°) when denoting temperatures.
On the other hand, the Celsius scale is based on the properties of water, where 0 degrees Celsius is the freezing point of water and 100 degrees Celsius is the boiling point of water at sea level. The Celsius scale is commonly used in everyday life and in many countries as the standard temperature measurement system.
To convert between Kelvin and degrees Celsius, you can use the following formulas:
- To convert from Kelvin to Celsius: Celsius = Kelvin - 273.15
- To convert from Celsius to Kelvin: Kelvin = Celsius + 273.15
For example:
- If you have a temperature of 300 Kelvin, converting it to Celsius would be: Celsius = 300 - 273.15 = 26.85 degrees Celsius.
- If you have a temperature of 30 degrees Celsius, converting it to Kelvin would be: Kelvin = 30 + 273.15 = 303.15 Kelvin.
Remember to pay attention to the units and double-check your calculations when performing temperature conversions.