Question

If the temperature of a substance changed by 100K, by how much does it change in Celsius?

Option 1: 100°C
Option 2: 273.15°C
Option 3: 100°F
Option 4: 373.15°C

Answer 1

A temperature change of 100K is equivalent to a temperature change of 100°C because the increment sizes in both Kelvin and Celsius scales are the same. The zero point on each scale is different, but their increment sizes match.

Step-by-step explanation:

If the temperature of a substance changed by 100K, we are looking at a direct conversion to Celsius because the size of one degree increment is the same in both Kelvin and Celsius scales. Therefore, a change of 100 degrees Kelvin is equal to a change of 100 degrees Celsius. We can understand this by looking at the fact that both the freezing and boiling points of water are 100 degrees apart on both scales (0°C to 100°C and 273.15K to 373.15K, respectively). The conversion formula between Kelvin and Celsius is: TC = TK - 273.15 or TK = TC + 273.15, which further demonstrates that a change in temperature of 1 degree K is equal to a change of 1 degree C.