10 K to Rankine – Easy Conversion Explained

10 kelvin (K) is equal to 18.0 rankine (°R).

The conversion from kelvin to rankine involves multiplying the kelvin temperature by the factor 9/5. This scaling comes from the relationship between the absolute temperature scales kelvin and rankine, where rankine is based on the Fahrenheit degree interval instead of Celsius.

Conversion Tool

Conversion Formula

The formula to convert kelvin (K) to rankine (°R) is:

°R = K × (9/5)

This formula works because kelvin and rankine are absolute temperature scales, but rankine uses the Fahrenheit degree size, which is 9/5 times that of the Celsius degree used in kelvin. Since kelvin is based on Celsius increments, multiplying by 9/5 adjusts the scale to rankine’s size.

Example calculation:

• Given: 10 K
• Multiply by 9/5: 10 × 9/5 = 18 °R

Conversion Example

• Convert 25 K to rankine:
  • Step 1: Identify temperature in kelvin: 25 K
  • Step 2: Multiply by 9/5: 25 × 9/5 = 45
  • Step 3: Result: 25 K equals 45 °R
• Convert 0 K to rankine:
  • Step 1: Temperature in kelvin: 0 K
  • Step 2: Multiply by 9/5: 0 × 9/5 = 0
  • Step 3: Result: 0 K equals 0 °R
• Convert 100 K to rankine:
  • Step 1: Temperature in kelvin: 100 K
  • Step 2: Multiply by 9/5: 100 × 9/5 = 180
  • Step 3: Result: 100 K equals 180 °R
• Convert 15.5 K to rankine:
  • Step 1: Temperature in kelvin: 15.5 K
  • Step 2: Multiply by 9/5: 15.5 × 9/5 = 27.9
  • Step 3: Result: 15.5 K equals 27.9 °R

Conversion Chart

The table below shows values from -15.0 K to 35.0 K converted into rankine. Since kelvin cannot be negative physically, negative values here are theoretical or for calculation purposes only. Use this chart to quickly find the equivalent rankine temperature by multiplying the kelvin value by 9/5.

Related Conversion Questions

• How do I convert 10 kelvin to rankine exactly?
• What is the formula for changing 10 K into rankine units?
• Can you show me the calculation for 10 kelvin in rankine?
• Is 10 K equal to 18 rankine or a different value?
• Why multiply kelvin by 9/5 to get rankine, for example 10 K?
• How to convert 10 kelvin value quickly to rankine without calculator?
• What rankine temperature corresponds to 10 kelvin on a temperature scale?

Conversion Definitions

Kelvin (K): Kelvin is the SI base unit of temperature, measuring absolute temperature starting at absolute zero. The kelvin scale increments are equal in size to Celsius degrees, but start at the coldest possible temperature where all molecular motion ceases. It is used widely in science and engineering for thermodynamic temperature.

Rankine (°R): Rankine is an absolute temperature scale based on Fahrenheit degree increments. Zero rankine represents absolute zero, similar to kelvin but using Fahrenheit-sized steps instead of Celsius. Rankine is mainly used in some engineering fields in the United States, especially thermodynamics involving heat and energy calculations.

Conversion FAQs

Why is the conversion factor between kelvin and rankine 9/5?

The kelvin scale uses Celsius degree increments while rankine uses Fahrenheit degree increments. Since one Fahrenheit degree is 5/9 of a Celsius degree, converting kelvin to rankine requires multiplying by 9/5 to adjust for the difference in scale sizes. This factor aligns the units to the same absolute zero baseline.

Can kelvin temperatures be negative when converting to rankine?

In physics, kelvin values cannot be negative because absolute zero is the lowest temperature possible. However, for theoretical calculations or error checking, negative kelvin inputs might be converted mathematically to rankine. Such negative temperatures are not physically meaningful but can appear in some numerical contexts.

Is rankine used outside the United States?

Rankine is primarily used in the United States, especially in aerospace and engineering fields that work with thermodynamics in Fahrenheit units. Other countries mostly use kelvin or Celsius-based scales. Rankine is less common globally but remains relevant where absolute temperatures must be expressed in Fahrenheit increments.

How precise is the conversion between kelvin and rankine?

The conversion kelvin to rankine is exact mathematically, since both scales start at absolute zero and differ only by a fixed ratio of 9/5 between their degree sizes. Precision depends on how many decimal places are used in the calculation, but the formula itself does not introduce errors.

What practical applications need kelvin to rankine conversions?

Conversions between kelvin and rankine are needed in thermodynamics and engineering calculations, especially in the US where rankine is common. Applications include heat transfer, engine efficiency, and gas laws where absolute temperature scales are necessary for calculations without negative values.