8.08: Absolute Zero Lab

Useful information:

Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the molecules (or atoms) in a gas sample.

The Celsius (°C) scale can be misleading since its zero does not reflect zero temperature (zero average kinetic energy). And the fact that it can be negative can be confusing: If an object is at -25°C and its Celsius temperature triples... that would mean it actually decreases to -75°C??????

The Kelvin (K) scale is a Celsius scale that has been adjusted (by adding 273) so that its zero does reflect zero temperature (zero kinetic energy)

E_k = ¹/₂mv²
That is: an object's kinetic energy equals one half the object's mass times its velocity squared.

ALSO: don't forget that K = °C + 273 (or 273.15 to be more precise!)
so 11°C converts to 284 K and 11.03°C converts to 284.18 K.

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