absolute temperature scale
- absolute temperature scale
-
Thermodynam.
temperature
(absolute temperature) as measured on a scale in which the hypothetical lowest limit of physical temperatures is assigned the value zero
(absolute zero), as the Kelvin scale. Also called
absolute scale.
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any thermometric scale on which a reading of zero coincides with the theoretical
absolute zero of temperature—i.e., the thermodynamic equilibrium state of minimum energy. The standard measure of temperature in the
International System of Units is the Kelvin (K) scale, on which the only point established by arbitrary definition is the unique temperature at which the liquid, solid, and vapour forms of water can be maintained simultaneously. The interval between this temperature and absolute zero is defined as 273.16 kelvins, and the temperature of this “triple point” is designated 273.16 K (since 1967, no longer written °K). In essence, the Kelvin scale is the Celsius (°C) temperature scale (
Celsius temperature scale) shifted by 273.15 degrees (because the triple point of water is actually 0.01 °C), with the same size unit of temperature.
Another absolute temperature scale is the Rankine (°R) scale, once used by engineers in the United States and based on the Fahrenheit (°F) temperature scale (
Fahrenheit temperature scale), with the freezing point of water defined as 491.67 °R. A degree Rankine, like a degree Fahrenheit, is
5/
9 of a kelvin or degree Celsius.
Many physical laws and formulas are simpler in form when an absolute temperature is used. In the physical sciences the Kelvin scale is used wherever thermodynamic considerations are important.
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Universalium.
2010.
Look at other dictionaries:
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absolute temperature scale — Thermodynam. temperature (absolute temperature) as measured on a scale in which the hypothetical lowest limit of physical temperatures is assigned the value zero (absolute zero), as the Kelvin scale. Also called absolute scale … Useful english dictionary
absolute temperature scale — ab′solute tem′perature scale n. thr a scale for measuring temperature in which the hypothetical lowest limit is assigned the value zero, designated absolute zero, as the Kelvin or Rankine scale … From formal English to slang
Absolute temperature — Absolute Ab so*lute, a. [L. absolutus, p. p. of absolvere: cf. F. absolu. See {Absolve}.] 1. Loosed from any limitation or condition; uncontrolled; unrestricted; unconditional; as, absolute authority, monarchy, sovereignty, an absolute promise or … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
absolute temperature — n. temperature measured from absolute zero on the Kelvin scale or on the Rankine scale * * * … Universalium
absolute temperature — n. temperature measured from absolute zero on the Kelvin scale or on the Rankine scale … English World dictionary
temperature scale — noun a system of measuring temperature • Hypernyms: ↑scale, ↑scale of measurement, ↑graduated table, ↑ordered series, ↑system of measurement, ↑metric • Hyponyms: ↑Celsius … Useful english dictionary
absolute temperature — noun temperature measured on the absolute scale (Freq. 1) • Hypernyms: ↑temperature * * * ˌabsolute ˈtemperature 7 [absolute temperature] noun uncountable … Useful english dictionary
