Kelvin, symbolized as K, is the base unit of temperature in the International System of Units (SI). It is named after the Scottish physicist William Thomson, also known as Lord Kelvin. Kelvin is an absolute temperature scale, meaning it is based on the theoretical absence of thermal energy. The Kelvin scale is commonly used in scientific and engineering applications.
The Kelvin scale starts at absolute zero, which is considered the lowest possible temperature. At absolute zero, molecules and atoms possess minimal energy, making them virtually motionless. This temperature is equivalent to -273.15 degrees Celsius and 0 Kelvin.
The Kelvin scale is determined by the fraction of the temperature difference between absolute zero and the triple point of water, as well as the freezing and boiling points of water. The triple point of water, where water exists in a stable state of solid, liquid, and gas simultaneously, is considered 0.01 degrees Celsius or 273.16 Kelvin.
Kelvin is a unit of measurement for the kinetic energy of particles in a substance, commonly referred to as thermal energy. It is used extensively in scientific research, particularly in fields such as physics, chemistry, and astronomy. Kelvin provides an absolute reference point for temperature measurement, making it useful in various scientific calculations, experiments, and theories.
