Physics
Using Celsius Instead of Kelvin in Gas Law Problems
Students plug Celsius temperatures directly into gas law ratios like .
Quick check
Why students make it
Celsius feels natural because it is used in everyday temperature readings. The misleading idea is that is twice as hot as , but gas laws depend on absolute temperature.
The rule done right
Convert every Celsius temperature to Kelvin with before using it in gas law ratios or in . Temperature ratios must use Kelvin because is the absolute zero point for gas behavior.
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