Admission Test for Dental Hygiene (ATDH) Practice

In the context of gas laws, what is the Kelvin scale primarily used for?

1. To measure pressure.

2. To determine absolute temperature.

3. To quantify gas volume.

4. To correlate density with pressure.

The correct answer is: To determine absolute temperature.

The Kelvin scale is primarily used to determine absolute temperature, which is a critical concept in the study of gas laws. Absolute temperature is important because gas behavior is greatly influenced by temperature, and Kelvin provides a scale that begins at absolute zero, the point at which molecular motion ceases. This scale allows for accurate calculations and comparisons in thermodynamics and kinetic theory, where temperature must be expressed in an absolute form rather than a relative scale like Celsius or Fahrenheit. Using the Kelvin scale is essential in equations like the Ideal Gas Law and others, as it enables the prediction of gas behavior under various conditions of pressure and volume without encountering negative values that can occur in other temperature scales. Therefore, the use of the Kelvin scale facilitates a clearer understanding and application of gas laws in scientific and practical contexts.