Which of the following temperature changes are equivalent?

• A. A change of 1 K and a change of 1 °F
• B. A change of 1 K and a change of 1 °C
• C. A change of 1 °C and a change of 1 °R (Rankine)
• D. A change of 1 °C and a change of 1 °F

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that temperature intervals (or changes) can be compared by looking at the size of one unit in each scale, independent of their starting points (zero points).
2. Recall the size of one degree Celsius (°C) and one Kelvin (K) are exactly the same, meaning a change of 1 °C is equivalent to a change of 1 K.
3. Know that the Fahrenheit (°F) scale has a different size for one degree: 1 °F change corresponds to a smaller temperature interval than 1 °C or 1 K. Specifically, 1 °C equals 1.8 °F.
4. Recognize that the Rankine (°R) scale is based on Fahrenheit degrees but starts at absolute zero, so 1 °R change is equivalent to 1 °F change, not 1 °C.
5. Conclude that the only equivalent temperature changes among the options are a change of 1 K and a change of 1 °C, because their degree sizes are identical.