Question

Absolute zero temperature is:

• A. $273^\circ\text{ C}$
• B. $0^\circ\text{ C}$
• C. $-273^\circ\text{ C}$
• D. None of these

Hint:

Absolute zero is represented by $0\text{ K}$ on the Kelvin scale, $-273.15^\circ\text{ C}$ on the Celsius scale, $0\text{ R}$ on the Rankine scale, and $-459.67^\circ\text{ F}$ on the Fahrenheit scale.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Concept: Absolute zero is defined as the fundamental thermodynamic lower limit of temperature, the point at which a system reaches its minimum possible energy level and molecular motion ceases. On the absolute Kelvin scale, this temperature is defined as exactly $0\text{ K}$. To convert between the Kelvin temperature scale ($T_{\text{K}}$) and the Celsius temperature scale ($T_{^\circ\text{C}}$), we use the linear offset equation: \[ T_{\text{K}} = T_{^\circ\text{C}} + 273.15 \]

Step 1: Solve for Celsius scale absolute zero.
Set the absolute temperature to zero ($T_{\text{K}} = 0\text{ K}$): \[ 0 = T_{^\circ\text{C}} + 273.15 \] Isolating $T_{^\circ\text{C}}$ yields: \[ T_{^\circ\text{C}} = -273.15^\circ\text{ C} \] Approximating to the nearest integer value gives $-273^\circ\text{ C}$.