converting T to kelvin

[Deja Nora]

When calculating something involving changing temperature, it is okay to leave the temperature in celsius correct?

[Alexis Webb 2B]

It depends on the units you are solving for and any other units involved in the equation by other constants, etc. Can you give a specific instance that you have a question about?

[Esha Chawla 2E]

When calculating something involving changing temperature, it is okay to leave the temperature in celsius correct?

That's correct - because change in degrees celsius is the same as the change in degrees Kelvin, you can leave the temperature in celsius. For example, if given a q=mC(delta T) problem, you can keep the T in celsius.

[Hiba Alnajjar_2C]

The change in temperature would be the same for Celsius and Kelvin (if you convert to Kelvin and calculate the difference, you'll notice it's the same as the difference in Celsius). However, if it's just temperature (such as in delta G = -RTlnK), I believe that you have to convert to whatever units the constant is in.

[Jack Riley 4f]

when talking about delta T then yes it is ok because they are the same in that respect. However, when doing calculations with T you should convert to K because most R values are given with K as the unit

[Harry Zhang 1B]

If it's merely change in temperature, yes, because the conversion to K by adding 273.15 will cancel out. However, if you are using it like 1/T2-1/T1, then you will have to convert it.

[Venus_Hagan 2L]

If you are considering delta T then it is okay to leave in Celcius because both units have the same scale, but if you are just considering temperature then you should convert to kelvins by adding 273.15

[Aarushi Solanki 4F]

If the question specifies a temperature unit then use the given one. Otherwise, remember to perform your calculations with like-temperature units, so they correctly cancel out based on ratios.

[Nick Fiorentino 1E]

I think it's important to convert C to K just to be safe; a lot of times using K will make it so the units cancel, so I just always convert C to K to be safe

[Amir Bayat]

It usually depends on the units of Rydberg's constant as well. If you want to use an equation where Rydberg's constant is in K, which in most equations it is, make sure to convert, if not, then there is no need to convert. Therefore, always look at the units of Rydberg's constant, this is why is is always important to write out the units when solving the problem.

[Kylie Lim 4G]

Changes in temperature are fine since they will be the same for kelvin and celsius. The only time when you have to worry about converting between celsius and kelvin is if the problem specifically asks for the answer in terms of one, or if you are using a constant like R in PV = NRT when R is specifically in kelvin.

[Brandon Valafar]

Usually depends on the units in the given in the problem and what equation the problem entails in using. I usually always conver from C to K just to be safe unless it asks for it in units celsius.

[Sally Qiu 2E]

it's okay to leave the temperature in celsius if you're just finding the change-- it shouldnt make a difference mathematically

[Bryan Chen 1H]

i would always use the equation sheet and look at the units, especially for constants. for example, .08206 = R, R has units in L, atm, K, and mol. So, on a test you should make sure when plugging into PV=nRT, for example, to match up those units to the R constant.

[BritneyP- 2c]

It depends on the units of your other constants. If you use 8.314 j/mol*K, then you have to convert to kelvin. If you are finding the difference between them though it doesn't matter because the end result is the same number

[Jainam Shah 4I]

If the question is asking for temperature and doesn't specify units you can use either celsius or kelvin. If you are doing calculations then be careful to see the units given in the constant and use kelvin or celsius accordingly

[Tiffany_Chen 2K]

If the question asks for the answer to be in specific units, don't forget to convert at the end. For thermodynamics, usually celsius/kelvin can be interchangeable due to the same difference.

[Minh Ngo 4G]

Depends on the equation you are using but I think if in doubt, just convert it to K (unless they are problems that involve a specific heat capacity ones)

[Verity Lai 2K]

I think the only time its okay to keep temperature in Celsius is when the units are in celsius or when you are calculating delta t because the change in Celsius is the same as the change in kelvin.

[Rodrigo2J]

You use celsius and kelvin depending on the units of the other constants being used.

[Madeline Phan 1E]

It is okay to leave the temperature in Celsius or Kelvin when calculating delta T because the number of units that increase or decrease will remain the same no matter what.

[AronCainBayot2K]

T to kelvin should only be applied when the the problem involves using constants or equations that use Kelvin instead of Temperature. In ideal gas law equations, you would use Kelvin (+273.15) if given celcsius.

[Anastasia Yulo 1C]

I would look at the units for the problem involved! For example, if it is specific heat then you would know that Kelvin is necessary since specific heat includes kelvins.

[Nina Ellefsen 2D]

If the problem only uses then using celsius would be fine since one unit change in celsius equates to one unit change in kelvin

[Aria Movassaghi 1A]

since its the change in temp, it doesn't matter really which you use but if you want to go to kelvin its just degrees celsius +273

[Susan Chamling 1F]

I would suggest changing celsius to kelvin since it might be easier in terms of keeping track of units, but as long as you are mindful of which units are using in your calculations, I think it's really up to you.

[Riddhi Mehta 2C]

Since one unit of change in Celsius is the same as a one unit change in Kelvin, then you can use the change in temperature in either unit interchangeably. Just make sure to check the units in the problem you are solving to be safe.

[Megan Hulsy 1A]

I'd just check the problem units to be safe, since ΔT is usually what we use. In this matter, just add 273.15 to celsius and you'll get Kelvin. :)

[Samiha Molla 3G]

If it's change in temperature, yes, because a change in K is the same as a change in C. It is easy to convert celsius to kelvin though if needed- just add 273 to the celsius value!

[Ariel Guan 1H]

If we are talking about ΔT, then yeah, it should be fine to leave it in Celsius, since a change in temp. in C would be equivalent to a change in temp. in K after conversions. However, changing it to K may be a little easier to keep track of since its SI unit.

[Samantha Lee 1A]

You should convert to Kelvin using the equation asks for Temperature because most constants and equations need Kelvin to work correctly. However, when you are T, if both Tfinal and Tinitial are in celsius then the T will be the same as if you were using Kelvin because the range is the same. This is because Kelvin is degress celsius + 273, so the shift of 273 cancels. However, it does not cancel when you are just using one temperature.

[Catherine Bubser 2C]

Should we use 273 or the more accurate value of 273.15 when converting from one measurement to the other?

[Jonathan Malau 1F]

It typically depends on the units given in the problem. When using the equations entailed in the problem, using like-temperature units allows it to simplify.

[Brian Nguyen 2I]

It depends on what the kind of T is used. If it is delta T, it won't make a difference between Celsius and Kelvin. Since Kelvin is converted by adding 273.15 to the Celsius measurement, either unit does not matter with change in temperature. It only matters when it is T by itself. With just T, either unit makes a significant difference.

[Sameer Chowdhury 3C]

Should we use 273 or the more accurate value of 273.15 when converting from one measurement to the other?

I think we should use what is given in the constants and formulas worksheet that Dr. Lavelle provides for us. On that it says 273.15.
.

[Jaden Joodi 3J]

It depends on what constants you are using in your calculations. If you are using any constant of R in your calculation, you must convert the Celsius to kelvin.

[Gwirnowski 3B]

You can leave temperature in Kelvin or Celsius as long as the equations are dealing with a change in temperature. Any change in temperature will be the same whether it was Kelvin or Celsius, but if the equation is dealing strictly with the temperature, than it is important which one should be used.

[Isabella Cortes 2H]

it is okay to leave the temperature in celsius when you are calculating delta T because it will give you the same answer than if it were in Kelvin. For calculations that just involve temperature, I would check the units on the other values that you are using. I hope this helps!!

[jasonfarrales3D]

When finding the change in temperature, it does not matter if you convert the temperature from Celsius to Kelvin (or vice versa) since the temperature difference will be the same no matter the units. Hope this helps!

[Astha Patel 2J]

The best thing to do to be safe would be to check the units of whatever it is you're trying to solve or the gas constant given in the problem. Also, if you are using the change in temperature then celsius and kelvins are interchangeable because a change of +1 degrees celsius is the same as a change of +1 Kelvins.

[Randi Ruelas 1G]

I believe if you are using the Ideal Gas law of PV=nRT, then you would need to change it to K

[Kaleb Tuliau 3E]

You will need to change to Kelvin if using ideal gas laws

[Jaden Ward 3J]

I think it depends on the problem, but if you're doing calculations involving T then I would convert it to Kelvin.

[Emma_Barrall_3J]

For a change in temperature, Celsius and kelvin values will be the same. Otherwise, use the unit that will be cancelled in your calculation. The question will specify what unit to express your final answer.

[Ethan Goode 2H]

Just make sure it cancels out and all is good. Converting to kelvin can never go wrong though as it is easier to cancel units.

[Ximeng Guo 2K]

For temperature difference, C and K are both fine. For others, normally we use K, but it depends on the question.

[Mingzi Yang 1E]

I usually look at what unit I need to have for the final answer and then do my calculations. I found myself converting the temperature to Kelvin for most of the time tho!