Question 21

In terms of Charles’ law explain why –273°C is the lowest possible temperature.

Answer

Charles observed that the volume of certain amount of a gas changes by  VO / 273.15 for each degree rise or fall in temperature.VO being the volume at 0°C.The volume at any temperature t°C is given by

Vt  = VO(1 + t°C/ 273.15)

Now ,if the temperature is lowered, it becomes clear that at t = -273.15°C

Vt  = VO(1+ (-273.15/273.15))

= VO  = (1-1) = 0

And below t = -273.15°C, Vt  becomes negative, which is not possible

Therefore the physically significant lowest temperature is -273.15° C

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