What is Kelvin?
Kelvin is the base unit of temperature in the International System of Units (SI). It is defined as the fraction 1/273.16 of the thermodynamic temperature of the triple point of water. This means that absolute zero, the lowest possible temperature where all molecular movement ceases, is defined as 0 Kelvin.
Why is Kelvin important?
Kelvin is used in scientific experiments and calculations where precise and absolute temperature measurements are needed. It is commonly used in areas such as physics, chemistry, and engineering.
Examples of Kelvin in everyday life
- Freezing point of water: 273.15 Kelvin
- Room temperature: around 293 Kelvin
- Boiling point of water: 373.15 Kelvin
Case study: Kelvin in space exploration
In space missions, Kelvin is used to measure the extreme temperatures encountered in space. For example, the surface temperature of Pluto is only about 33 Kelvin, making it one of the coldest places in our solar system.
Statistics on Kelvin
The Kelvin scale is widely used in scientific research and development, with high-precision instruments often calibrated in Kelvin. The Kelvin scale is also used in meteorology and climate science to measure and monitor temperature changes.
