In the ideal gas law, which temperature scale must be used?

Study for the Cambridge Science – States of Matter Test. Prepare with flashcards and multiple choice questions, with hints and explanations for each question. Ready yourself for your exam!

Multiple Choice

In the ideal gas law, which temperature scale must be used?

Explanation:
The temperature in the ideal gas law must be an absolute temperature because the equation links pressure and volume to the average kinetic energy of molecules, which is zero only at absolute zero. Kelvin is the standard absolute scale used here because it starts at zero when there’s no molecular motion and its degree size matches the Celsius increment, making the relationship in PV = nRT consistent. If you used Celsius or Fahrenheit directly, the zero point wouldn’t correspond to zero energy and the equation would no longer fit unless you first convert to Kelvin. Rankine is also an absolute scale, but the conventional form of the law is written with Kelvin, so Kelvin is the scale you use.

The temperature in the ideal gas law must be an absolute temperature because the equation links pressure and volume to the average kinetic energy of molecules, which is zero only at absolute zero. Kelvin is the standard absolute scale used here because it starts at zero when there’s no molecular motion and its degree size matches the Celsius increment, making the relationship in PV = nRT consistent. If you used Celsius or Fahrenheit directly, the zero point wouldn’t correspond to zero energy and the equation would no longer fit unless you first convert to Kelvin. Rankine is also an absolute scale, but the conventional form of the law is written with Kelvin, so Kelvin is the scale you use.

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