Kelvin

/'kelvin/
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Definition
  1. Noun:
    • The base unit of thermodynamic temperature in the International System of Units (SI): The kelvin is defined by fixing the numerical value of the Boltzmann constant. It is an absolute temperature scale where 0 K represents absolute zero, the point at which particles have minimal thermal motion.
    • A title referring to the British physicist William Thomson, 1st Baron Kelvin: The unit is named in honor of Lord Kelvin, who made significant contributions to thermodynamics and physics.
Usage Examples
  • Noun (Unit of Temperature):
    • Water freezes at 273.15 kelvins.
    • The experiment must be conducted at a constant temperature of 300 kelvin.
  • Noun (Person):
    • Kelvin formulated the second law of thermodynamics.
    • The Kelvin scale was developed by Lord Kelvin.
Advanced Usage
  • "Degrees Kelvin": An older, now deprecated usage. The correct modern form is simply "kelvins" (e.g., 100 K is read as "one hundred kelvins," not "one hundred degrees Kelvin").
    • The star's surface temperature is approximately 5800 kelvins.
  • In scientific contexts: The kelvin is used in equations of state, thermodynamics, and physics where an absolute temperature scale is required.
    • The ideal gas law uses temperature in kelvin.
Variants and Related Words
  • Kelvin scale (n): The absolute temperature scale that uses the kelvin as its unit increment. Zero on the Kelvin scale is absolute zero.
    • The Kelvin scale is essential for scientific calculations.
  • Kilokelvin (kK): A unit equal to one thousand kelvins.
    • The plasma reached a temperature of several kilokelvins.
Synonyms
  • K (abbreviation): The standard symbol for the unit kelvin.
    • The melting point is 933 K.
Related Phrases and Concepts
  • Absolute zero: The theoretical temperature of 0 K where all classical molecular motion ceases.
    • Scientists strive to cool matter to temperatures near absolute zero.
  • Thermodynamic temperature: Temperature measured on an absolute scale (the Kelvin scale).
    • Thermodynamic temperature is a fundamental parameter in physics.
Noun
  1. British physicist who invented the Kelvin scale of temperature and pioneered undersea telegraphy (1824-1907)
  2. the basic unit of thermodynamic temperature adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites