Q. 3.65 - An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry

Question

Compost can be made at home from grass clippings, kitchen scraps, and dry leaves. As microbes break down organic matter, heat is generated and the compost can reach a temperature of $155°F$, which kills most pathogens. What is this temperature in degrees Celsius? In kelvins? (3.3)

Compost produced from decayed plant material is used to enrich the soil.

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

Therefore the temperature in Celsius is $68.3°C$ and in Kelvin is $341K.$

Step 1: Equation.

Pathogens are killed by the temperature of the compost, which is $155°F$. The following formula is used to compute the temperature in degrees Celsius:

For conversion, the temperature equation is employed as follows:

For conversion, use the following temperature equation:

$T_C=\frac{T_F-32}{1.8}$

Step 2: Celsius.

The temperature in Celsius is $T_C$, and the temperature in Fahrenheit is $T_F$.

Substitute the value in equation,

$T_C=\frac{T_F-32}{1.8}$

$=\frac{155-32}{1.8}$

$=68.3°C$

Step 4: Temperature Equation.

The temperature of the compost, which is $68.3°C$, is converted to kelvin as follows:

For conversion, the temperature equation is employed as follows:

$T_K=T_C+273$

Step 5: Kelvin.

 $T_C$denotes the temperature in Celsius, while $T_C$ denotes the temperature in Kelvin.

When you substitute in the above equation after rearranging it, you get:

$T_K=68.3+273$

$=341K$