Kelvin scale
Starts at zero
The Kelvin scale is a temperature scale that begins at absolute zero—the theoretical point where all molecular motion stops.
Unlike Celsius or Fahrenheit, it has no negative values.
Each unit (a kelvin) equals one degree Celsius, but the scale starts at -273.15°C.
Scientists use it because it measures absolute thermal energy: Water freezes at 273 kelvins.
Measured heat intensity
- absolute zeroTheoretical minimum temperature
- degreesUnits of measurement
- CelsiusMetric temperature unit
- FahrenheitScale freezing at thirty-two
thermometer · cryogenics · heat · cold · triple point · boiling point · freezing point · centigrade
Theoretical minimum temperature
- liquid nitrogenCryogenic form of air's main component
- liquid heliumSupercooled element in fluid state
- helium-3Light noble gas variant
- helium-4Stable helium isotope
superconductivity · superfluidity · cryostat · quantum state
Quantified chaos in systems
- enthalpyThermodynamic total heat quantity
- thermodynamicsScience of heat-energy relationships
- kinetic energyPower from movement
- molecular motionMovement of particles
thermal expansion · specific heat · heat capacity · calorimetry · ideal gas law · energy · equilibrium · state of matter
Adjusting for measurement accuracy
- precisionAccuracy of measurement
- accuracyDegree of correctness
- SI unitStandardized measurement quantity
- metrologyScience of precise quantification
graduation · increment · interval · resolution · gauge · readout · standardization · reference point
temperature
Measured heat intensity
- absolute zeroTheoretical minimum temperature
- degreesUnits of measurement
- CelsiusMetric temperature unit
Fahrenheit · thermometer · cryogenics · heat · cold · triple point · boiling point · freezing point · centigrade · conversion
absolute zero
Theoretical minimum temperature
- liquid nitrogenCryogenic form of air's main component
- liquid heliumSupercooled element in fluid state
- helium-3Light noble gas variant
helium-4 · superconductivity · superfluidity · cryostat · quantum state
entropy
Quantified chaos in systems
- enthalpyThermodynamic total heat quantity
- thermodynamicsScience of heat-energy relationships
- kinetic energyPower from movement
molecular motion · thermal expansion · specific heat · heat capacity · calorimetry · ideal gas law · energy · equilibrium · state of matter · plasma
calibration
Adjusting for measurement accuracy
- precisionAccuracy of measurement
- accuracyDegree of correctness
- SI unitStandardized measurement quantity
metrology · graduation · increment · interval · resolution · gauge · readout · standardization · reference point · fixed point