Kelvin: Difference between revisions
2019 redefinition of the kelvin results in the triple point of water being an empirical value and no longer exact, see article on the 2019 redefinition of SI |
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The '''kelvin''' is the [[SI base unit|base unit]] of [[temperature]] in the [[International System of Units]] (SI), having the unit symbol K. It is named after the Belfast-born, [[Glasgow University]] engineer and physicist [[William Thomson, 1st Baron Kelvin]] (1824–1907), who wrote of the necessity for an ''absolute thermometric scale.'' |
The '''kelvin''' is the [[SI base unit|base unit]] of [[temperature]] in the [[International System of Units]] (SI), having the unit symbol K. It is named after the Belfast-born, [[Glasgow University]] engineer and physicist [[William Thomson, 1st Baron Kelvin]] (1824–1907), who wrote of the necessity for an ''absolute thermometric scale.'' |
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The '''Kelvin scale''' fulfills |
The '''Kelvin scale''' fulfills Thomson's requirements as an [[absolute scale|absolute]] [[thermodynamic temperature]] [[Scale of temperature|scale]]. It uses [[absolute zero]] as its null point, the temperature at which all [[Kinetic theory of gases|thermal motion]] ceases in the classical description of [[thermodynamics]]. |
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Until 2018, the kelvin was defined as the fraction {{sfrac|273.16}} of the thermodynamic temperature of the [[Triple point#Triple point of water|triple point of water]], which was exactly 0.01 °C and 32.018 °F.<ref name=res413>{{cite web |title=Resolution 4: Definition of the SI unit of thermodynamic temperature (kelvin) |work=Resolutions of the 13th CGPM |url=https://www.bipm.org/en/CGPM/db/13/4/ |publisher=Bureau International des Poids et Mesures |year=1967 |accessdate=2008-02-06 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070615125646/http://www.bipm.fr/en/CGPM/db/13/4/ |archivedate=15 June 2007 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> It was defined such that the [[triple point]] of water is exactly 273.16 K. This implies that absolute zero (0 K) is equivalent to {{convert|-273.15|C|F}}. |
Until 2018, the kelvin was defined as the fraction {{sfrac|273.16}} of the thermodynamic temperature of the [[Triple point#Triple point of water|triple point of water]], which was exactly 0.01 °C and 32.018 °F.<ref name=res413>{{cite web |title=Resolution 4: Definition of the SI unit of thermodynamic temperature (kelvin) |work=Resolutions of the 13th CGPM |url=https://www.bipm.org/en/CGPM/db/13/4/ |publisher=Bureau International des Poids et Mesures |year=1967 |accessdate=2008-02-06 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070615125646/http://www.bipm.fr/en/CGPM/db/13/4/ |archivedate=15 June 2007 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> It was defined such that the [[triple point]] of water is exactly 273.16 K. This implies that absolute zero (0 K) is equivalent to {{convert|-273.15|C|F}}. |
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Revision as of 13:41, 25 July 2019
 | This article needs to be updated. The reason given is: it needs to reflect the 2019 revision of the SI, which came into effect on May 20, 2019. |
| Kelvin | |
|---|---|
| Unit system | SI base unit |
| Unit of | Temperature |
| Symbol | K |
| Named after | William Thomson, 1st Baron Kelvin |
The kelvin is the base unit of temperature in the International System of Units (SI), having the unit symbol K. It is named after the Belfast-born, Glasgow University engineer and physicist William Thomson, 1st Baron Kelvin (1824–1907), who wrote of the necessity for an absolute thermometric scale.
The Kelvin scale fulfills Thomson's requirements as an absolute thermodynamic temperature scale. It uses absolute zero as its null point, the temperature at which all thermal motion ceases in the classical description of thermodynamics.
Until 2018, the kelvin was defined as the fraction 1/273.16 of the thermodynamic temperature of the triple point of water, which was exactly 0.01 °C and 32.018 °F.[1] It was defined such that the triple point of water is exactly 273.16 K. This implies that absolute zero (0 K) is equivalent to −273.15 °C (−459.67 °F).
On 16 November 2018, a new definition was adopted, in terms of a fixed value of the Boltzmann constant. With this change the triple point of water became an empirically determined value of approximately 273.16 kelvin. For legal metrology purposes, the new definition officially came into force on 20 May 2019, the 144th anniversary of the Metre Convention.[2]
Unlike the degree Fahrenheit and degree Celsius, the kelvin is not referred to or written as a degree. The kelvin is the primary unit of temperature measurement in the physical sciences, but is often used in conjunction with the degree Celsius, which has the same magnitude.
History
In 1848, William Thomson, who later was made Lord Kelvin, wrote in his paper, On an Absolute Thermometric Scale, of the need for a scale whereby "infinite cold" (absolute zero) was the scale's null point, and which used the degree Celsius for its unit increment. Kelvin calculated that absolute zero was equivalent to −273 °C on the air thermometers of the time.[3] This absolute scale is known today as the Kelvin thermodynamic temperature scale. Kelvin's value of "−273" was the negative reciprocal of 0.00366—the accepted expansion coefficient of gas per degree Celsius relative to the ice point, giving a remarkable consistency to the currently accepted value.
In 1954, Resolution 3 of the 10th General Conference on Weights and Measures (CGPM) gave the Kelvin scale its modern definition by designating the triple point of water as its second defining point and assigned its temperature to exactly 273.16 kelvins.[4]
In 1967/1968, Resolution 3 of the 13th CGPM renamed the unit increment of thermodynamic temperature "kelvin", symbol K, replacing "degree Kelvin", symbol °K.[5] Furthermore, feeling it useful to more explicitly define the magnitude of the unit increment, the 13th CGPM also held in Resolution 4 that "The kelvin, unit of thermodynamic temperature, is equal to the fraction 1/273.16 of the thermodynamic temperature of the triple point of water."[1]
In 2005, the Comité International des Poids et Mesures (CIPM), a committee of the CGPM, affirmed that for the purposes of delineating the temperature of the triple point of water, the definition of the Kelvin thermodynamic temperature scale would refer to water having an isotopic composition specified as Vienna Standard Mean Ocean Water.[6]
In 2018, Resolution A of the 26th CGPM adopted a significant redefinition of SI base units which included redefining the Kelvin in terms of a fixed value for the Boltzmann constant of 1.380649×10−23 J/K.
Usage conventions
When spelled out or spoken, the unit is pluralised using the same grammatical rules as for other SI units such as the volt or ohm (e.g. "the triple point of water is exactly 273.16 kelvins"[7]). When reference is made to the "Kelvin scale", the word "kelvin"—which is normally a noun—functions adjectivally to modify the noun "scale" and is capitalized. As with most other SI unit symbols (angle symbols, e.g. 45° 3′ 4″, are the exception) there is a space between the numeric value and the kelvin symbol (e.g. "99.987 K").[8][9]
Before the 13th CGPM in 1967–1968, the unit kelvin was called a "degree", the same as with the other temperature scales at the time. It was distinguished from the other scales with either the adjective suffix "Kelvin" ("degree Kelvin") or with "absolute" ("degree absolute") and its symbol was °K. The latter term (degree absolute), which was the unit's official name from 1948 until 1954, was ambiguous since it could also be interpreted as referring to the Rankine scale. Before the 13th CGPM, the plural form was "degrees absolute". The 13th CGPM changed the unit name to simply "kelvin" (symbol: K).[10] The omission of "degree" indicates that it is not relative to an arbitrary reference point like the Celsius and Fahrenheit scales (although the Rankine scale continued to use "degree Rankine"), but rather an absolute unit of measure which can be manipulated algebraically (e.g. multiplied by two to indicate twice the amount of "mean energy" available among elementary degrees of freedom of the system).
Use in conjunction with degrees Celsius
In science and engineering, degrees Celsius and kelvins are often used simultaneously in the same article, where absolute temperatures are given in degrees Celsius, but temperature intervals are given in kelvins. E.g. "its measured value was 0.01028 °C with an uncertainty of 60 µK."
This practice is permissible because the degree Celsius is a special name for the kelvin for use in expressing relative temperatures, and the magnitude of the degree Celsius is exactly equal to that of the kelvin.[11] Notwithstanding that the official endorsement provided by Resolution 3 of the 13th CGPM states "a temperature interval may also be expressed in degrees Celsius",[5] the practice of simultaneously using both °C and K is widespread throughout the scientific world. The use of SI prefixed forms of the degree Celsius (such as µ°C or microdegree Celsius) to express a temperature interval has not been widely adopted.
2019 redefinition
In 2005 the CIPM embarked on a programme to redefine the kelvin (along with the other SI units) using a more experimentally rigorous methodology. In particular, the committee proposed redefining the kelvin such that Boltzmann's constant takes the exact value 1.3806505×10−23 J/K.[12] The committee had hoped that the programme would be completed in time for its adoption by the CGPM at its 2011 meeting, but at the 2011 meeting the decision was postponed to the 2014 meeting when it would be considered as part of a larger programme.[13]
The redefinition was further postponed in 2014, pending more accurate measurements of Boltzmann's constant in terms of the current definition,[14] but was finally adopted at the 26th CGPM in late 2018, with a value of k = 1.380649×10−23 J/K.[12][15]
From a scientific point of view, the main advantage is that this will allow measurements at very low and very high temperatures to be made more accurately, as the techniques used depend on the Boltzmann constant. It also has the philosophical advantage of being independent of any particular substance. The challenge was to avoid degrading the accuracy of measurements close to the triple point. From a practical point of view, the redefinition will pass unnoticed; water will still freeze at 273.15 K (0 °C),[16] and the triple point of water will continue to be a commonly used laboratory reference temperature.
The difference is that, before the redefinition, the triple point of water was exact and the Boltzmann constant had a measured value of 1.38064903(51)×10−23 J/K, with a relative standard uncertainty of 3.7×10−7.[15] Afterward, the Boltzmann constant is exact and the uncertainty is transferred to the triple point of water, which is now 273.1600(1) K.
Practical uses
| from kelvins | to kelvins | |
|---|---|---|
| Celsius | x K ≘ (x − 273.15) °C | x °C ≘ (x + 273.15) K |
| Fahrenheit | x K ≘ (x × 9/5 − 459.67) °F | x °F ≘ (x + 459.67) × 5/9 K |
| Rankine | x K ≘ x × 9/5 °R | x °R ≘ x × 5/9 K |
| For temperature intervals rather than specific temperatures, 1 K = 1 °C = 9/5 °F = 9/5 °R Conversion between temperature scales | ||
Colour temperature
The kelvin is often used as a measure of the colour temperature of light sources. Colour temperature is based upon the principle that a black body radiator emits light with a frequency distribution characteristic of its temperature. Black bodies at temperatures below about 4000 K appear reddish, whereas those above about 7500 K appear bluish. Colour temperature is important in the fields of image projection and photography, where a colour temperature of approximately 5600 K is required to match "daylight" film emulsions. In astronomy, the stellar classification of stars and their place on the Hertzsprung–Russell diagram are based, in part, upon their surface temperature, known as effective temperature. The photosphere of the Sun, for instance, has an effective temperature of 5778 K.
Digital cameras and photographic software often use colour temperature in K in edit and setup menus. The simple guide is that higher colour temperature produces an image with enhanced white and blue hues. The reduction in colour temperature produces an image more dominated by reddish, "warmer" colours.
Kelvin as a unit of noise temperature
In electronics, the kelvin is used as an indicator of how noisy a circuit is in relation to an ultimate noise floor, i.e. the noise temperature. The so-called Johnson–Nyquist noise of discrete resistors and capacitors is a type of thermal noise derived from the Boltzmann constant and can be used to determine the noise temperature of a circuit using the Friis formulas for noise.
Unicode character
The symbol is encoded in Unicode at code point U+212A K KELVIN SIGN. However, this is a compatibility character provided for compatibility with legacy encodings. The Unicode standard recommends using U+004B K LATIN CAPITAL LETTER K instead; that is, a normal capital K. "Three letterlike symbols have been given canonical equivalence to regular letters: U+2126 Ω OHM SIGN, U+212A K KELVIN SIGN, and U+212B Å ANGSTROM SIGN. In all three instances, the regular letter should be used."[17]
See also
References
- ^ a b "Resolution 4: Definition of the SI unit of thermodynamic temperature (kelvin)". Resolutions of the 13th CGPM. Bureau International des Poids et Mesures. 1967. Archived from the original on 15 June 2007. Retrieved 6 February 2008.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Draft Resolution A "On the revision of the International System of units (SI)" to be submitted to the CGPM at its 26th meeting (2018) (PDF)
- ^ Lord Kelvin, William (October 1848). "On an Absolute Thermometric Scale". Philosophical Magazine. Archived from the original on 1 February 2008. Retrieved 6 February 2008.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Resolution 3: Definition of the thermodynamic temperature scale". Resolutions of the 10th CGPM. Bureau International des Poids et Mesures. 1954. Archived from the original on 23 June 2007. Retrieved 6 February 2008.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b "Resolution 3: SI unit of thermodynamic temperature (kelvin)". Resolutions of the 13th CGPM. Bureau International des Poids et Mesures. 1967. Archived from the original on 21 April 2007. Retrieved 6 February 2008.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Unit of thermodynamic temperature (kelvin)". SI Brochure, 8th edition. Bureau International des Poids et Mesures. 1967. pp. Section 2.1.1.5. Archived from the original on 26 September 2007. Retrieved 6 February 2008.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Rules and style conventions for expressing values of quantities". SI Brochure, 8th edition. Bureau International des Poids et Mesures. 1967. pp. Section 2.1.1.5. Archived from the original on 16 July 2012. Retrieved 27 August 2012.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "SI Unit rules and style conventions". National Institute of Standards and Technology. September 2004. Archived from the original on 5 February 2008. Retrieved 6 February 2008.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Rules and style conventions for expressing values of quantities". SI Brochure, 8th edition. Bureau International des Poids et Mesures. 1967. pp. Section 5.3.3. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 13 December 2015.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Barry N. Taylor (2008). "Guide for the Use of the International System of Units (SI)" (PDF). Special Publication 811. National Institute of Standards and Technology. Archived from the original (.PDF) on 3 June 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2011.
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help); Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Units with special names and symbols; units that incorporate special names and symbols". SI Brochure, 8th edition. Bureau International des Poids et Mesures. 2006. pp. Section 2.2.2, Table 3. Archived from the original on 18 June 2007. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b Ian Mills (29 September 2010). "Draft Chapter 2 for SI Brochure, following redefinitions of the base units" (PDF). CCU. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 January 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2011.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "General Conference on Weights and Measures approves possible changes to the International System of Units, including redefinition of the kilogram" (PDF) (Press release). Sèvres, France: General Conference on Weights and Measures. 23 October 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 February 2012. Retrieved 25 October 2011.
{{cite press release}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Wood, B. (3–4 November 2014). "Report on the Meeting of the CODATA Task Group on Fundamental Constants" (PDF). BIPM. p. 7. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 October 2015.
[BIPM director Martin] Milton responded to a question about what would happen if ... the CIPM or the CGPM voted not to move forward with the redefinition of the SI. He responded that he felt that by that time the decision to move forward should be seen as a foregone conclusion.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b Newell, D B; Cabiati, F; Fischer, J; Fujii, K; Karshenboim, S G; Margolis, H S; de Mirandés, E; Mohr, P J; Nez, F; Pachucki, K; Quinn, T J; Taylor, B N; Wang, M; Wood, B M; Zhang, Z; et al. (Committee on Data for Science and Technology (CODATA) Task Group on Fundamental Constants) (29 January 2018). "The CODATA 2017 values of h, e, k, and NA for the revision of the SI". Metrologia. 55 (1). doi:10.1088/1681-7575/aa950a.
- ^ "Updating the definition of the kelvin" (PDF). International Bureau for Weights and Measures (BIPM). Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 November 2008. Retrieved 23 February 2010.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "22.2". The Unicode Standard, Version 8.0 (PDF). Mountain View, CA, USA: The Unicode Consortium. August 2015. ISBN 978-1-936213-10-8. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 December 2016. Retrieved 6 September 2015.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help)
External links
- Kelvin (unit of measurement) at the Encyclopædia Britannica
- Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (2006). "The International System of Units (SI) Brochure" (PDF). 8th Edition. International Committee for Weights and Measures. Retrieved 6 February 2008.
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help)
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