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Performing a temperature conversion from Celsius to Kelvin is one of the simplest calculations you can do. Unlike other conversions that require complex multiplication, these two scales move at the exact same rate.
The Kelvin scale was named after the physicist William Thomson, also known as Lord Kelvin. It is the primary unit of measurement in the physical sciences. To find the temperature in Kelvin, you simply add 273.15 to your Celsius degree.
Let's convert 5 degrees Celsius (°C) to Kelvin.
Using the formula above: 5 + 273.15 = 278.15
Therefore, 5 degrees Celsius is equal to 278.15 Kelvin.
Here are some quick reference conversions from degree Celsius (C) to Kelvin (K):
| degrees Celsius | Kelvins |
|---|---|
| 0.000001 C | K |
| 0.001 C | K |
| 0.1 C | K |
| 1 C | K |
| 2 C | K |
| 3 C | K |
| 4 C | K |
| 5 C | K |
| 6 C | K |
| 7 C | K |
| 8 C | K |
| 9 C | K |
| 10 C | K |
| 20 C | K |
| 30 C | K |
| 40 C | K |
| 50 C | K |
| 100 C | K |
| 1000 C | K |
| 10000 C | K |
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A degree Celsius (°C) is one of the most common units for measuring temperature around the world. As a key part of the metric system, it's used in everything from daily weather forecasts to scientific research. It offers a straightforward and rational method for gauging the temperature of an object. The plural version is degrees Celsius.
The Celsius scale is cleverly based on the physical properties of water. This relationship to a familiar substance makes it very easy to understand. Let's break it down simply:
This perfect 100-degree interval between freezing and boiling is why it was initially called a "centigrade" scale (from "centi-" meaning 100). This straightforward system is the reason Celsius is the standard for temperature measurement in most countries.
In 1742, the Swedish astronomer Anders Celsius introduced his temperature scale, but with a surprising twist—it was upside down! He originally set 100° as the freezing point of water and 0° as its boiling point.
It was only after his death that the scale was flipped to the familiar version we use today, making it far more logical. This change is often credited to fellow scientist Carl Linnaeus.
Because Celsius is a global standard, knowing how to convert it to other scales, such as Fahrenheit (°F) and Kelvin (K), is useful. Here are the simple formulas to do it:
The kelvin (K) is a unit of measurement for temperature, similar to the Celsius and Fahrenheit scales. What sets it apart?
Most people typically refer to temperature in Fahrenheit or Celsius. Still, scientists favor Kelvin due to its status as an absolute scale. This means it starts at the lowest possible temperature in the universe, making it ideal for accurate scientific research.
It's also one of the seven base units in the International System of Units (SI).
The Kelvin scale begins at 0 K, a point known as absolute zero. This isn't just a random number—it's the theoretical temperature where all atomic motion would completely stop. It's the ultimate cold.
Unlike Celsius, where 0° is the freezing point of water, 0 K is based on a fundamental truth of the universe. This non-arbitrary starting point is why scientists in fields like physics and astronomy rely on it.
While you won't use Kelvin to check the daily weather, it's essential in many scientific and technological fields.
The good news is that converting between Kelvin and Celsius is very easy. The size of one unit is identical in both scales, meaning a change of 1 K is the same as a change of 1 °C.
Here are the conversion formulas you need:
Examples:
The scale is named after its inventor, the brilliant Scottish engineer and physicist William Thomson, 1st Baron Kelvin (1824–1907). In 1848, he introduced an "absolute" thermometric scale beginning at what he called "infinite cold" — the temperature now known as absolute zero. His work established the foundational principles of a measurement system central to modern science.