TEMPERATURE PROBLEM SET
(from College Chemistry by J.L. Rosenberg, L.M. Epstein, and P.J. Krieger)
1. Sodium metal has a very wide liquid range, melting at 98°C and boiling at 892°C.
Express the liquid range in degrees Celsius, kelvins, and degrees Fahrenheit.
Range = 892°C – 98°C = 794°C
Increase (decrease) of temperature by 1°C = Increase (decrease) of temperature by 1 K, therefore Range = 794 K
Increase (decrease) of temperature by 1°C = Increase (decrease) of temperature by 1.8°C, therefore Range = 794 × 1.8 = 1429°F
2. At what temperature have the Celsius and Fahrenheit readings the same numerical value?
F = 1.8×C + 32 and F = C
C = 1.8×C + 32
– 0.8×C = 32
– 40°C = – 40°F
3. Construct a temperature scale in which the freezing and boiling points of water are
100°X and 400°X, respectively, and the degree interval is a constant multiple of the
Celsius degree interval. What is the absolute zero on this scale?
°X = 3×°C + 100
Absolute Zero: –273°C; 3×(–273) + 100 = –719°X
C = 32 / (– 0.8)
C = – 40