When Difference between Kelvin and Celsius are negligible

In summary, the difference of 273 degrees between the Kelvin and Celsius scales can be ignored at very high temperatures, such as in stars, but may be significant in cases of phase transitions. The lowest reasonable point where the two units can be considered interchangeable is dependent on the specific situation and use of ideal gas equations.
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jldibble
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This question is more for practicality than anything else, and I realize it may be partly subjective.

At what temperatures can the 273 degree difference between Kelvin and Celsius scales be ignored? I'm thinking for examples regarding stars and very high temperatures. Surely once you get to 15 million it doesn't make much of a difference if you say the core of the Sun is 15 million K or 15 million degrees C.

I'm wondering what the lowest reasonable point is when the two units of temperature are basically interchangeable.
 
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  • #2
If you have something like a gas with a temperature of the order of 5000 Kelvin, and you want to apply the ideal gas equation of state to it, then the 273 K difference may not matter a lot. However, if there's a phase transition at some temperature, then a difference of 273 K is never insignificant.
 
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1. What is the difference between Kelvin and Celsius measurement scales?

The main difference between Kelvin and Celsius is that Kelvin is an absolute scale while Celsius is a relative scale. This means that Kelvin starts at 0 and measures all temperatures above 0, while Celsius starts at 0 and measures temperatures above and below 0.

2. How do you convert between Kelvin and Celsius?

To convert from Kelvin to Celsius, simply subtract 273.15 from the Kelvin temperature. To convert from Celsius to Kelvin, add 273.15 to the Celsius temperature.

3. When is the difference between Kelvin and Celsius considered negligible?

The difference between Kelvin and Celsius is considered negligible when the temperatures being measured are close to 0. For example, a difference of 1 degree between Kelvin and Celsius is negligible when the temperature is close to 0, but it becomes more significant at higher temperatures.

4. Why is the Kelvin scale used in scientific measurements?

The Kelvin scale is used in scientific measurements because it is an absolute scale and does not use negative temperatures. This makes it easier to work with in scientific calculations and eliminates the need for negative values.

5. Can you use both Kelvin and Celsius in the same calculation?

Yes, you can use both Kelvin and Celsius in the same calculation. However, it is important to convert all temperatures to the same scale before performing the calculation to ensure accurate results.

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