Boltzmann constant: Difference between revisions
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The '''Boltzmann constant''' ''k'' (also ''k''<sub>B</sub>) is the ratio of the [[molar gas constant]] ''R'' to [[Avogadro's constant]] ''N''<sub>A</sub>. It can be thought of as the gas constant for a single [[molecule]] (or even for an arbitrary particle in a [[colloidal solution]]) rather than for a [[mole]]<ref>Fundamentals of Physics, Fourth Edition by David Halliday, Robert Resnick, and Jearl Walker p582</ref>. | The '''Boltzmann constant''' ''k'' (also ''k''<sub>B</sub>) is the ratio of the [[molar gas constant]] ''R'' to [[Avogadro's constant]] ''N''<sub>A</sub>. It can be thought of as the gas constant for a single [[molecule]] (or even for an arbitrary particle in a [[colloidal solution]]) rather than for a [[mole]]<ref>Fundamentals of Physics, Fourth Edition by David Halliday, Robert Resnick, and Jearl Walker p582</ref>. | ||
The Boltzmann Constant is illustrated in the equation for the [[translational kinetic energy]] of a particle in thermal [[equilibrium]] with its surroundings,<ref>http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/kinetic/kintem.html</ref> | The Boltzmann Constant is illustrated in the equation for the [[translational kinetic energy]] of a particle in thermal [[equilibrium]] with its surroundings, the so-called equipartition theorem:<ref>http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/kinetic/kintem.html</ref> | ||
<math> KE_\mathrm{avg} = \left(\frac{3}{2}\right) kT</math><br /> | |||
Where KE<sub>avg</sub> is the average [[kinetic energy]] of the particle, ''k'' is the Boltzmann Constant, and ''T'' is the [[temperature]] in [[kelvin]]. | Where KE<sub>avg</sub> is the average [[kinetic energy]] of the particle, ''k'' is the Boltzmann Constant, and ''T'' is the [[temperature]] in [[kelvin]]. | ||
Revision as of 09:49, 31 December 2007
The Boltzmann constant k (also kB) is the ratio of the molar gas constant R to Avogadro's constant NA. It can be thought of as the gas constant for a single molecule (or even for an arbitrary particle in a colloidal solution) rather than for a mole[1].
The Boltzmann Constant is illustrated in the equation for the translational kinetic energy of a particle in thermal equilibrium with its surroundings, the so-called equipartition theorem:[2]
Where KEavg is the average kinetic energy of the particle, k is the Boltzmann Constant, and T is the temperature in kelvin.
According to NIST[3] the Boltzmann Constant has a value of 1.3806504 x 10-23 J/K with a standard uncertainty of 0.0000024 x 10-23 J/K and a relative uncertainty of 1.7 x 10-6 (this is represented by the concise form 1.380 6504(24) x 10-23 J/K
The Boltzmann Constant can also be represented in alternative units as 8.617385 x 10-5 eV/K
References
- ↑ Fundamentals of Physics, Fourth Edition by David Halliday, Robert Resnick, and Jearl Walker p582
- ↑ http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/kinetic/kintem.html
- ↑ http://physics.nist.gov/cgi-bin/cuu/CCValue?k%7CShowFirst=Browse