Question

The body temperature of a fit person is 98.6 F. calculate the corresponding temperature on the Kelvin scale.

Answer 1

Hint: Convert the Fahrenheit temperature into degree Celsius and then use the relationship between degree celsius and kelvin to find the equivalent temperature in Kelvin.

Complete step by step answer:
In the Fahrenheit scale the temperature coinciding with the zero degree of Celsius scale is 32 degrees. The temperature in both the scales vary in a different way, however the temperatures do vary by 32.
The relationship between Fahrenheit and Celsius is given by ;
\[F = \dfrac{9}{5}C + 32\]
Now we know that, F=98.8 degree is given as the normal human body temperature.
So solving for C we get;
$\dfrac{5}{9}\left( {F - 32} \right) = C$
Now we substitute the values of the temperature in Fahrenheit.
Thus, $C = \dfrac{5}{9}\left( {98.6 - 32} \right)$
$C = \dfrac{5}{9}\left( {66.6} \right)$
$C = 5 \times 7.4$
Therefore, $C = {37^ \circ }C$
Now the Kelvin scale has 273 Kelvin as a corresponding value to zero degree Celsius in the Celsius scale and by evaluating the other values in both the scales we get that temperature in Kelvin is related to temperature in Celsius by a factor of 273.
Now we have to convert it into Kelvin. We just have to add 273 to it.
So, $K = C + 273$
$K = 37 + 273$
Therefore, $K = 310K$.

Note: You can derive a relation between Fahrenheit and Kelvin to ease the calculation rather make it short. But you should be careful while doing so. That relation is to be learnt by heart so that you can use it in future problems as an aid to ease calculations.