Chapter 3.3, Problem 11E

The Kelvin Temperature Scale Physicists and chemists often use the Kelvin temperature scale. In order to determine the relationship between the Fahrenheit and Kelvin temperature scales, a lab assistant put Fahrenheit and Kelvin thermometers side by side and took readings at various temperatures. The following data were recorded.

K $=$ kelvins	F $=$ degrees Fahrenheit
200	$-99.67$
220	$-63.67$
240	$-27.67$
260	8.33
280	44.33
300	80.33

a. Show that the temperature F in degrees Fahrenheit is a linear function of the temperature K in kelvins.

b. What is the slope of this linear function? (Note: Be sure to take into account that the table lists kelvins in jumps of 20 rather than in jumps of 1.)

c. Find a formula for the linear function.

d. Normal body temperature is 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. What is that temperature in kelvins?

e. If temperature increases by 1 kelvin, by how many degrees Fahrenheit does it increase? If temperature increases by 1 degree Fahrenheit, by how many kelvins does it increase?

f. The temperature of 0 kelvins is known as absolute zero. It is not quite accurate to say that all molecular motion ceases at absolute zero, but at that temperature the system has its minimum possible total energy. It is thought that absolute zero cannot be attained experimentally, although temperatures lower than 0.0000001 kelvin have been attained. Find the temperature of absolute zero in degrees Fahrenheit.