Kelvin scale

views updated May 08 2018

Kelvin scale A scale of temperature proposed by Kelvin ( William Thomson), which does not include negative values. The unit of the scale is the kelvin (K). The base of the scale, absolute zero, is the lowest possible temperature for all substances at which no molecule possesses any heat energy. The triple point of water is given as 273.16 K.

kelvin

views updated May 11 2018

kelvin Symbol K. The SI unit of thermodynamic temperature equal to the fraction 1/273.16 of the thermodynamic temperature of the triple point of water. The magnitude of the kelvin is equal to that of the degree Celsius (centigrade), but a temperature expressed in degrees Celsius is numerically equal to the temperature in kelvins less 273.15 (i.e. °C = K – 273.15). The unit is named after Lord Kelvin (1824–1907).

kelvin

views updated Jun 27 2018

kel·vin / ˈkelvən/ (abbr.: K) • n. the SI base unit of thermodynamic temperature, equal in magnitude to the degree Celsius.

Kelvin scale

views updated May 29 2018

Kel·vin scale • n. a scale of temperature with absolute zero as zero, and the triple point of water as exactly 273.16 degrees.

kelvin

views updated May 08 2018

kelvin See KELVIN SCALE.