Question

What temperature scale must always be used when working gas law problems?

• A. Celsius Scale
• B. Kelvin Scale
• C. Rankine Scale
• D. Fahrenheit scale

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

Kelvin Scale

You should always use the Kelvin scale to measure temperatures of gases for use with the gas laws.

Imagine you have a gas at 1${}^{0}C$ and it is heated to $2^{0}C$. Just using Celsius temperatures you have doubled the temperature when in reality the amount of additional kinetic energy of a gas at $2^{0}C$ is only slightly higher than a gas at $1^{0}C.$

Also, imagine working a problem where you would need to divide by a temperature of $0^{0}C$. Wouldn't work! You have the same issue at $0K$, but since the material would not be a gas at $0K$ it is not an issue.

So we use kelvin scale always in gas problems.Option B is correct.