eli5: Why is it temperatures can go up to the trillions but only down to -273?
In: Physics
Because degrees celsius or fahrenheit are not units of measurement like meter or second, they have an offset. 0m is the same as 0inch, and 2m is twice as long as 1m.
But 0°C is not the same temperature as 0°F, and 20°C is not twice as hot as 10°C.
The real 0 for temperature is 0 K or -273°C. The Kelvin unit does not have an offset.
So it just cannot get negative, just like mass or length, unless some meaning for this is defined. For length, for example, a negative value can mean that it extends in the opposite direction.
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