Temperatures in both the celsius and fahrenheit scales can be negative. Why is a negative temperature . . .?

Question

impossible on the absolute scale?

Answer 1

The only scale that doesn't have a negative zone is Kelvin.

0°K represents -273°C. And that's the coldest temperature ever achieved by man.

The 0°C represents the point where distilled water freezes.

The 100°C represents the point where distilled water boils.

Answer 2

Temperature scale celcius is simply the scientific Kelvin scale but shifted by about 300 or so degrees so that 0 c is the point where water freezes and 100 c is the temp at which water boils so 0 c is the same as about 323 Kelvin this is the scientific scale. Absolute zero is 0 degrees kelvin a theoretical point where all molecular sctivity stops it is impossible to get a temp any lower than this, humans havent even been able to record absolute zero! Fahrenheit is basiacally the worst scale for temp 1 degree f isnt equal to 1 degree C or Kelvin. Its an awful imperial measurement that doesnt deserve to be used by anyone

Answer 3

The reason that there are negative scales of temperature now are becuase it started with celsius where boiling is 100 and freezing is 0 because that's as scientific as humans could get at the time and now the scale has just stuck. You can't go negative on Kelvin because 0 is the temperature at which there is no atomic activity at all. The electron has ceased to be able to orbit the nucleus. You can't get any colder than this thus there can be no negative in the Kelvin scale.

Answer 4

Freezing is 32 F and 0 C, boiling is 212 F or 100 C. The absolute scale is in Kelvins. 273.15 kelvins equals 0 C or 32 F. 0 Kelvin is absolute zero, where atoms incur no movement. Kelvin is used by the scientific and technology community. Celcius is predominantly used by people in countries that go by the SI (System Internationale) system, which is based on grams liters, joule, colombs, farads, etc. and the multiples of 10 or 1/10 (i.e. kilograms or milligrams). Fahrenheit is used by the U.S. along with pounds, ounces, miles, feet, which are much more difficult to remember for conversions. Celcius and Fahrenheit can be negative to allow for temperatures between absolute zero and 273.15 K. Celcius can be converted to Fahrenheit by the following. Fahrenheit = 9/5(Celcius Temp) + 32. Celcius can be converted to Kelvin by adding the above stated 273.15. Kelvin is not stated in terms of degree, so 23 degrees C would be 296.15 Kelvin.

Answer 5

Negative temperature is impossible only in the Kelvin scale (K). Zero degrees K is about -273 degrees C. At this point everything in the universe will be at it's lowest energy level. Hence everything will stop. It is disputed if the universe could ever reach this level.

Personally I say no, the universe may continue to cool but never reach absolute zero (0K). It will continue decrease at a exponential rate. After about 10-15 billion years the universes average tempature has decrease to 3 degree K and it will be another 100 billion years before we drop to below 1 degree K.

Answer 6

Mhhhh... the freezing point of water is 32 degrees Fahrenheit 32 °F and the boiling point is 212 degrees, placing the boiling and melting points of water 180 degrees apart. Thus the unit of this scale, a degree Fahrenheit, is 5/9ths of a kelvin (which is a degree Celsius), and negative 40 degrees Fahrenheit is equal to negative 40 degrees Celsius.

It is not impossible.

Answer 7

Because that is the point of the absolute scale. The absolute scale sets the lowest possible temperature to zero, so in theory nothing can be below that. Remember that the zero point is arbitrary; celsius scale uses the point where water freezes, and absolute (kelvin) uses the point where "nothing could be colder".

Answer 8

If you prefer to think in terms of only positive numbers, take a look at using the Kelvin temperature scale.

Answer 9

temperature is basically a measurement of molecular motion - the faster the molecules move the higher the temperature.

absolute zero refers to a point where all molecular motion has ceased. you cannot be more still than absolutely still - so there is no negative temperature below absolute zero.

Answer 10

Absolute zero is a state in which there is no heat energy at all in an molecule or atom. Atoms normally vibrate according to their temperature. At absolute zero, they are no longer moving. Because you cannot go beyond molecules not moving, you cannot go beyond absolute zero to a negative temperature.