Mississippi Science PHS.8.1

ScienceGrades 9–12Physical Science

The Standard

PHS.8: Students will demonstrate an understanding of temperature scales, heat, and thermal energy transfer.

Compare and contrast temperature scales by converting between Celsius, Fahrenheit, and Kelvin.

2026 Mississippi College- and Career-Readiness Standards for Science · Thermal Energy

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students convert temperatures among Celsius, Fahrenheit, and Kelvin. They compare where zero falls on each scale and how large each unit is.
What Mastery Looks Like: Given 25°C, a student calculates 77°F and 298.15 K, then converts either value back to 25°C. They explain that a change of 1°C equals a change of 1 K, but not 1°F.
Common Misconceptions: Students may add 32 to a Celsius reading without first multiplying by 9/5. They may think 0°C and 0 K are the same temperature, or write a degree symbol before K.
How to Assess It: Exit ticket: Convert 20°C to °F and K. Write one sentence explaining why the three numbers differ.

Lesson moves

Give pairs a dual-scale thermometer to measure room temperature, read °C and °F, and calculate K from the Celsius reading.
Have students write two sentences explaining why water freezes at 0°C, 32°F, and 273.15 K.
Hand out cards labeled −40°C, −40°F, 233.15 K, 0°C, 32°F, and 273.15 K; students group matching temperatures.
Show a weather report listing 30°C; students calculate its Fahrenheit and Kelvin values and choose a scale for a local forecast.

Free download

A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to PHS.8.1, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.

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