Kelvin to Celsius Formula

Kelvin to Celsius Formula

The Kelvin temperature scale, named after the first Lord Kelvin (Sir William Thomson), is a thermodynamic temperature scale for all universal events, such that all temperatures in this scale are positive. To date, it has not been possible to reach to absolute zero Kelvin, although the approach has come close.

Conversion to the Celsius (or Centigrade scale) is very simple: just subtract 273.15 ° to any Kelvin temperature.

K = °C + 273.15

K = temperature, Kelvin

°C = temperature, degrees Celsius (Centigrade)

Kelvin to Celsius Formula Questions:

1) Water freezes at 0° C. What is the temperature in Kelvin?

Answer: Temperature, Celsius = 0° C. Use the formula.

K = °C + 273.15

K = 0°C + 273.15

K = 273.15

2) Temperatures on Enceladus, one of the moon's of Saturn, have been measured to be between 85-90 Kelvin, in a 'warm' region near the South Pole. What is the temperature in degrees Celsius?

Answer: T in Kelvin = 85 - 90. Use the formula.

K = °C + 273.15

K - 273.15 = °C

85 K - 273.15 = °C

-188.15 = °C


K = °C + 273.15

90 K - 273.15 = °C

-183.15 = °C

The temperature in the 'warm' area of Enceladus has temperatures of (-183.15 to -188.15) °C

Related Links:
Anders Celsius Facts
Celsius vs. Fahrenheit