14.3 Thermodynamic Temperature Scale

Thermodynamic Temperature

• Thermodynamic temperature does not depend on the property of any particular substance.
• It is an absolute scale based on the average kinetic energy of particles.
• Has units Kelvin ($\mathrm{K}$).

Absolute Zero

• Absolute Zero (0 K) is the lowest possible temperature.
• At this temperature, the average kinetic energy of molecules is zero.
• Equivalent to $-273.15^{\circ }\mathrm{C}$

Conversion from Kelvin to Celsius

• A change of $1\mathrm{K}$ is exactly equal to a change of $1^{\circ }\mathrm{C}$.
• To convert between the two scales: $T=\theta +273.15$

NOTE: The symbol $T$ is used for thermodynamic temperature and $\theta$ for Celsius.