The conversion from Kelvin to Celsius can be easily done when 273.15 is subtracted from the temperature in Kelvin to get the Celsius temperature that is needed. However, before knowing how to convert Kelvin into degree Celsius, it is essential to know both the Celsius and Kelvin temperature scales are interrelated. Their relation is given by the formula.
K = C + 273.15 or,
C = K – 273.15
Here,
C is the magnitude of the given temperature in degrees Celsius and
K is the magnitude of the given temperature in Kelvin.
Before learning how to change Kelvin into Celsius, remember that the symbol which shows the temperature scale has to be changed after the conversion has been carried out. Consider, for example, that when 0 Kelvin changes to degree Celsius, the value of Celsius becomes
C = 0 – 273.15
= -273.15 °C
Hence, the calculation of the magnitude of the temperature can be carried out by using the formula and symbol, which is relevant which can be assigned to the value of the temperature. Here, °C is used for Celsius and K is used for Kelvin. Also, note that the boiling point of water according to the Celsius temperature scale is 100 °C, whereas, according to the Kelvin temperature scale, it is 373.15 K.
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Solved Examples
Solved Examples on How to Change Kelvin to Celsius
Given below are some examples of how to convert K into C.
Example 1
Convert 500 K to degrees Celsius.
Given, the temperature in Kelvin is 500 K
According to the formula,
C = K – 273.15
After substituting the values,
C = 500 – 273.15
Hence, C = 226.85
Hence, 500 K is equal to 226.85 °C.
Example 2
Convert 750 K to Celsius temperature.
Given, the Kelvin temperature is 750 K
The formula to convert Kelvin to Celsius is
C = K – 273.15
Substituting the values,
C = 750 – 273.15
Therefore, C = 476.85
Hence, 750 K equals the temperature in Celsius as 476.85 °C.
Example 3
Convert 1573 Kelvin to Celsius degree temperature.
Given, the temperature in Kelvin = 1573 K.
According to the formula of conversion,
C = K – 273.15
Substituting the values in the above equation,
C = 1573 – 273.15
Hence, C = 1299.85
Therefore, 1573 K is equal to 1299.85 °C.
Example 4
Convert 2654 K into Celsius degrees.
Given, the Kelvin temperature is 2654 K.
The formula to convert Kelvin to Celsius is
C = K – 273.15
After substituting the values,
C = 2654 – 273.15
Hence, C = 2380.85
Hence, 2654 Kelvin equals 2380.85 °C.
Example 5
Convert 373.15 Kelvin to degree Celsius.
Given, the Kelvin temperature is 373.15K.
According to the conversion formula,
C = K – 273.15
After substituting the values in the above equation,
C = 373.15 – 273.15
Therefore, C = 100.00
Therefore, 373.15 K is equal to 100 °C.
Key Takeaways
The formula for converting Kelvin to Celsius is C = K - 273.15.
While the size of the degree is the same in Kelvin and Celsius, the two scales are not equal at any point: A Celsius temperature is always higher than a Kelvin temperature.
Temperatures in Celsius can be negative, while Kelvin can reach absolute zero (no negative temperature).
FAQs on Kelvin to Celsius
1. What is the Kelvin Temperature Scale?
The Kelvin temperature scale is a temperature scale that has absolute zero below which there is no existence of the temperatures. Absolute zero, also called 0 K, is known as the temperature at which the molecular energy is at the minimum and it equals -273 °C on the Celsius temperature scale. However, the size of the Kelvin temperature and the Celsius temperature degrees are the same.
Therefore, the freezing point and the boiling point of water according to the Celsius scale are 0 °C and 100 °C, respectively and according to the Kelvin scale are 273.15 K and 373.15 K, respectively. The important thing to note is that the Kelvin temperature scale does not include the usage of the degree symbol. The Kelvin temperature scale is named after William Thomson Kelvin, a British mathematician, who proposed it in the year 1848.
2. How do you convert Kelvin to Celsius?
The Celsius and the Kelvin temperature scales are amongst the two widely used and accepted scales when it comes to the measurement of temperatures in the industry of thermometers. However, the value of one degree on the Celsius temperature scale is equal to the value of one degree on the Kelvin scale. This means that the change or the temperature difference is the same on both these scales.
A given temperature T in °C is equal to that temperature in K minus the value 273.15. This is given by the formula as shown below.
C = K - 273.15.
This formula to convert the temperature in Kelvin to degree Celsius is used for changing the given temperature from Kelvin to degree Celsius.
3. What do you mean by Absolute Zero?
The meaning of absolute zero is as follows.
Absolute zero refers to the lowest temperature possible at which no object is colder further and no amount of heat energy is present in a given substance. The absolute zero is that point at which all fundamental particles present in nature tend to possess the minimal motion of vibration and retain only the zero-point energy induced and quantum mechanical particle movements.
According to the international agreements, absolute zero is also referred to as 0 Kelvin according to the Kelvin temperature scale. The Kelvin temperature scale is an absolute temperature scale. The value of 0 K equals -273.15 °C on the Celsius temperature scale.