Why do we use kelvin instead of celsius

Usually, when using deltaT, it doesn't matter whether you use K or C because a change in temperature for either will result in the same numbers. However, when using just T in an equation, you need to use the other labels in order to determine whether or not the other units use K or C. Re: When to use Kelvin or Celsius Post by soniatripathy » Wed Mar 14, pm The most important thing to consider in these cases are the units of the constants and given values.

This will help you determine if you need to use K or C because you might need to get some of the units to cancel out. Jump to. How are temperature on Celsius and Kelvin scales related? What is the Kelvin temperature scale? How can I convert between temperature scales? What temperature scale does Australia use? What temperature scale does China use? See all questions in Temperature Scales. The Rankine degree temperature interval is defined to equal a Fahrenheit degree.

A temperature of Fahrenheit, like Celsius, has degrees defined around the freezing and boiling points of water. Aside from avoiding mathematical problems, like you might get dealing with negative numbers in other temperature scales, there are two other reasons to use the Kelvin scale. For science, even Americans use Celsius and Kelvin.

The second reason is that the Kelvin scale may be used to express both extremely cold and hot temperatures on the same positive numerical value scale.

Audio version. The Celsius and Fahrenheit scales were both built around water, either the freezing point, the boiling point or some combination of water and a chemical. The Kelvin temperature scale is used by scientists because they wanted a temperature scale where zero reflects the complete absence of thermal energy. As you get to lower and lower temperatures, there are less and less vibrations in the material to provide these thermal excitations, and at absolute zero, zero Kelvin, there is no longer any thermal energy available.