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Kelvin is a Metric scale for thermodynamic temperature that starts at absolute zero -273.15°C (the point where all spontaneous molecular motion ceases). In Kelvin the freezing point of water is 273º K, and the boiling point 373º K.

The scale divisions are the same as those in Celsius. They are not however referred to as degrees but as kelvins. 0°C = approximately 273.16 kelvins or K. It is named for the Irish physicist and engineer William Thomson, 1st Baron Kelvin (1824 – 1907) who believed there was a need for an absolute thermometric scale.

To figure out Kelvin from the following scales, use the corresponding formula


Celsius
[K] = [°C] + 273.15
Delisle
[K] = 373.15 − [°De] · 2/3
Fahrenheit
[K] = ([°F] + 459.67) · 5/9
Newton
[K] = [°N] · 100/33 + 273.15
Rankine
[K] = [°Ra] · 5/9
Réaumur
[K] = [°Ré] · 5/4 + 273.15
Rømer
[K] = ([°Rø] − 7.5) · 40/21 + 273.15

Legend

[°C] = Celsius

[°De] = Delisle

[°F] = Fahrenheit

[°K] = Kelvin

[°N] = Newton

[°R] = Rankine

[°Ré] = Réaumur

[°Rø] = Rømer


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