In the ideal gas equation, what does the symbol "T" represent?

In the ideal gas equation, the symbol "T" represents temperature measured in Kelvin. The ideal gas law is expressed as PV = nRT, where P is pressure, V is volume, n is the number of moles of gas, R is the universal gas constant, and T is the absolute temperature.

Using Kelvin is crucial because it provides an absolute temperature scale, which starts at absolute zero (0 K), where the motion of gas particles theoretically ceases. This scale ensures that the equations used in thermodynamics and gas laws maintain their integrity throughout calculations, as negative temperatures (which would occur if Celsius were used) are not physically meaningful in this context.

In practical terms, this means that if temperature were used in Celsius, any calculations could yield incorrect results, especially when plugging values into equations that assume absolute temperatures. Therefore, using Kelvin as the unit for temperature in the ideal gas law is essential for correct application and understanding of gas behavior under different conditions.