What unit of temperature should be used when applying the ideal gas law?
Answer Details
The unit of temperature that should be used when applying the ideal gas law is Kelvin (K).
The ideal gas law is a mathematical relationship that describes the behavior of gases under various conditions. It states that for a given amount of gas, the pressure (P), volume (V), and temperature (T) are related by the equation:
PV = nRT
Where:
- P is the pressure of the gas
- V is the volume of the gas
- n is the number of moles of gas
- R is the ideal gas constant
- T is the temperature in Kelvin
Using Kelvin as the unit of temperature in the ideal gas law is important because Kelvin is an absolute temperature scale. Unlike Fahrenheit and Celsius, which have arbitrary zero points, Kelvin has a zero point at absolute zero, the lowest possible temperature.
Since temperature is proportional to the average kinetic energy of gas particles, it is essential to use an absolute temperature scale when applying the ideal gas law. By using Kelvin, we can ensure that temperature is measured relative to absolute zero, providing a more accurate representation of the gas particles' motion and behavior.