Kelvin (unit): Difference between revisions
imported>Paul Wormer m (rm centigrade (is not exactly Celsius)) |
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The '''kelvin''' (symbol: K) is the [[SI]] unit increment of temperature and is one of the seven SI base units. The kelvin is defined as 1/273.16 of the thermodynamic temperature of the [[triple point]] of water<ref name=BIPM>[http://www.bipm.org/en/si/si_brochure/chapter2/2-1/kelvin.html International Bureau of Weights and Measures]</ref>. Zero kelvin (0 K) is the thermodynamic [[absolute zero]]. | The '''kelvin''' (symbol: K) is the [[SI]] unit increment of temperature and is one of the seven SI base units. The kelvin is defined as 1/273.16 of the thermodynamic temperature of the [[triple point]] of water<ref name=BIPM>[http://www.bipm.org/en/si/si_brochure/chapter2/2-1/kelvin.html International Bureau of Weights and Measures]. The CIPM has specified the isotopic composition of standard water, as the triple point of water varies depending on the isotopic composition of water.</ref>. Zero kelvin (0 K) is the thermodynamic [[absolute zero]]. | ||
The kelvin is named after the Irish-born physicist and engineer [[William Thomson, 1st Baron Kelvin]] (1824 – 1907), who wrote of the need for an absolute thermometric scale. | The kelvin is named after the Irish-born physicist and engineer [[William Thomson, 1st Baron Kelvin]] (1824 – 1907), who wrote of the need for an absolute thermometric scale. | ||
The [[Celsius]] scale is related to the kelvin (absolute) scale by setting the temperature zero degrees Celsius (0°C) to be exactly 273.15 K, and the increment of one degrees Celsius to be equal to one kelvin. The older [[Fahrenheit]] scale has 32 degrees Fahrenheit (32°F) equal to 273.15 K, and the increment of 1.8°F equal to one kelvin; thus absolute zero is -459.67°F. | |||
The [[Celsius]] scale is related to the kelvin (absolute) scale by setting the temperature zero degrees Celsius (0°C) to be exactly 273.15 K, and the increment of one degrees Celsius to be equal to one kelvin | |||
== References == | == References == | ||
<references /> | <references /> | ||
Revision as of 11:07, 14 April 2008
The kelvin (symbol: K) is the SI unit increment of temperature and is one of the seven SI base units. The kelvin is defined as 1/273.16 of the thermodynamic temperature of the triple point of water[1]. Zero kelvin (0 K) is the thermodynamic absolute zero.
The kelvin is named after the Irish-born physicist and engineer William Thomson, 1st Baron Kelvin (1824 – 1907), who wrote of the need for an absolute thermometric scale.
The Celsius scale is related to the kelvin (absolute) scale by setting the temperature zero degrees Celsius (0°C) to be exactly 273.15 K, and the increment of one degrees Celsius to be equal to one kelvin. The older Fahrenheit scale has 32 degrees Fahrenheit (32°F) equal to 273.15 K, and the increment of 1.8°F equal to one kelvin; thus absolute zero is -459.67°F.
References
- ↑ International Bureau of Weights and Measures. The CIPM has specified the isotopic composition of standard water, as the triple point of water varies depending on the isotopic composition of water.