120 Celcius to Kelvin – Easy Conversion Explained

120 degrees Celsius is equal to 393.15 kelvin.

To convert Celsius to kelvin, you add 273.15 to the Celsius temperature, because kelvin starts at absolute zero which is -273.15°C. So, 120 + 273.15 gives you 393.15 kelvin, which measures temperature from an absolute starting point.

Conversion Tool

Conversion Formula

The formula to convert Celsius to kelvin is K = °C + 273.15. This means to get kelvin value, you take the Celsius temperature and add 273.15. The number 273.15 is the difference between absolute zero and zero Celsius.

This works because kelvin scale starts at absolute zero, which is the lowest possible temperature where particles have minimum thermal energy. Celsius starts at freezing point of water (0°C), so adding 273.15 shifts the scale to start from absolute zero.

Example: To convert 120°C to kelvin:

• Take temperature in Celsius: 120
• Add 273.15: 120 + 273.15 = 393.15
• Resulting temperature is 393.15 K

Conversion Example

• Convert 50°C to kelvin:
  • Start with 50
  • Add 273.15: 50 + 273.15 = 323.15
  • So, 50°C equals 323.15 K
• Convert -40°C to kelvin:
  • Start with -40
  • Add 273.15: -40 + 273.15 = 233.15
  • Result is 233.15 K
• Convert 0°C to kelvin:
  • Start with 0
  • Add 273.15: 0 + 273.15 = 273.15
  • Result is 273.15 K
• Convert 100°C to kelvin:
  • Start with 100
  • Add 273.15: 100 + 273.15 = 373.15
  • Result is 373.15 K

Conversion Chart

This chart shows Celsius temperatures from 95 to 145 with their kelvin equivalents. To use it, find your Celsius value in the left column, then read across to see the kelvin equivalent on the right.

Related Conversion Questions

• What is 120 degrees Celsius equal in kelvin?
• How to convert 120°C to kelvin correctly?
• Why do you add 273.15 when converting 120 Celsius to kelvin?
• Is 393.15 kelvin the same as 120 degrees Celsius?
• Can you convert 120 Celsius to kelvin without a calculator?
• What temperature in kelvin corresponds to 120°C?
• How does 120°C compare to kelvin scale?

Conversion Definitions

Celsius: Celsius is a temperature scale where 0 degrees represents the freezing point of water, and 100 degrees represents water boiling at standard atmospheric pressure. It is widely used for everyday temperature measurements in weather, cooking, and science.

Kelvin: Kelvin is an absolute temperature scale starting at absolute zero, the coldest possible temperature. It uses the same size units as Celsius but shifted so zero kelvin equals -273.15°C. Kelvin is used mostly in scientific contexts.

Conversion FAQs

Is the Celsius to kelvin conversion the same for negative temperatures?

Yes, the conversion adds 273.15 to any Celsius temperature, even negative ones. For example, -40°C plus 273.15 equals 233.15 K. This works because kelvin scale starts at absolute zero regardless of whether Celsius is negative or positive.

Why is the number 273.15 added in converting Celsius to kelvin?

This number represents the temperature difference between absolute zero and zero degrees Celsius. Since kelvin starts at absolute zero, adding 273.15 shifts the Celsius scale up to match kelvin’s zero point.

Can kelvin be negative when converting from Celsius?

No, kelvin scale cannot be negative because it starts at absolute zero, the lowest temperature possible. Any Celsius temperature below -273.15 would produce a negative kelvin value, which is physically impossible.

How precise is the 273.15 value in conversions?

273.15 is precise to two decimal places, enough for most practical usages. In some scientific fields, more digits may be used, but for everyday temperature conversion, 273.15 is accurate enough.

Is kelvin used outside scientific measurements?

Kelvin is mainly used in science and engineering where absolute temperature matters. Everyday temperatures are mostly reported in Celsius or Fahrenheit, but kelvin is essential for physics and chemistry calculations.