explain how the celsius scale was devised and why it is not appropriate to use it when describing the behavior of gases
You can read about the Celsius scale here. Originally, zero degrees C was the freezing point of water and 100 was the boiling point of water. The interval between these two points was divided into units of 1/100. The definition is slightly different now.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celsius
The behavior of gases is associated with the Kelvin scale where absolute zero is where the molecule has no kinetic energy; therefore, the Celsius scale is not appropriate for the behavior of gases.
freezing water = 0
boiling water = 100
Ideal gasses follow the rule
P V/nR = T
where the T has to be from absolute zero, where the molecules have no kinetic energy. Absolute zero is about -273 in the centigrade scale. Therefore degrees K (or Kelvin or "absolute") are used where K = degrees C +273
The Celsius scale, also known as the centigrade scale, was devised by Swedish astronomer Anders Celsius in the early 18th century. Celsius initially proposed the scale with 0 degrees representing the boiling point of water and 100 degrees representing the freezing point of water. However, after his death, the scale was inverted so that 0 degrees represented the freezing point and 100 degrees represented the boiling point.
The Celsius scale is based on the concept of dividing the range between the freezing and boiling points of water into 100 equal intervals. This makes it a convenient scale for everyday temperature measurements, as it directly relates to the behavior of water, which is a commonly encountered substance.
However, when describing the behavior of gases, the Celsius scale is not appropriate due to its dependence on the properties of water. The behavior and properties of gases are governed by the gas laws, such as Boyle's law, Charles's law, and Avogadro's law. These laws relate the volume, pressure, temperature, and number of gas molecules.
The Celsius scale does not have a natural zero point that corresponds to the absence of molecular motion, which is required for the gas laws. In contrast, the Kelvin scale, which is the international unit for temperature, is based on absolute zero (-273.15 degrees Celsius) where molecular motion ceases completely. The Kelvin scale is more suitable for describing the behavior of gases because it directly relates to the gas laws.
Therefore, when describing the behavior of gases, it is more appropriate to use the Kelvin scale rather than the Celsius scale.
The Celsius scale was devised by Anders Celsius, a Swedish astronomer, in the 18th century. Celsius proposed a temperature scale with 100 degrees between the freezing and boiling points of water, thus providing a more standard and practical reference for temperature measurement than the existing scales at the time.
To explain why the Celsius scale may not be appropriate for describing the behavior of gases, we need to understand the gas laws and the fundamental properties of gases. There are three main gas laws: Boyle's law, Charles's law, and Avogadro's law.
Boyle's law states that at a constant temperature, the pressure and volume of a gas are inversely proportional. Charles's law states that at a constant pressure, the volume and temperature of a gas are directly proportional. Avogadro's law states that, under the same conditions of temperature and pressure, equal volumes of gases contain an equal number of molecules.
The Celsius scale, although widely used for general temperature measurement, is based on the freezing and boiling points of water, which may not align with the specific conditions where gases are observed. When studying gas behavior, it is essential to have a temperature scale that reflects the absolute temperature, where zero represents the absence of molecular motion.
For this reason, the Kelvin scale is often used instead. The Kelvin scale starts from absolute zero (-273.15°C) where molecular motion ceases. It is directly proportional to the average kinetic energy of the gas molecules, making it more appropriate for gas behavior studies. By using the Kelvin scale, scientists can accurately describe and compare gas properties and behavior at different temperatures.
In summary, while the Celsius scale serves well for everyday temperature measurement, its reference points do not directly align with the conditions required for describing and studying the behavior of gases. The Kelvin scale, by starting from absolute zero, allows for accurate and consistent comparisons of gas properties and behavior.