Definition:Kelvin
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Definition
The kelvin is the SI base unit of absolute temperature.
Its two reference points are:
- $0 \ \mathrm K$, which is set at absolute zero, the temperature at which all thermal motion stops
- $273 \cdotp 16 \ \mathrm K$, which is set at the triple point of water ($0.01 \cels$)
Conversion Factors
| \(\ds \) | \(\) | \(\ds T \, \mathrm K\) | Temperature in Kelvin | |||||||||||
| \(\ds \) | \(=\) | \(\ds T \cels + 273 \cdotp 15\) | Temperature in Celsius |
Symbol
- $\mathrm K$
The symbol for the kelvin is $\mathrm K$.
Note that, unlike the symbols for other temperature scales, there is no degree symbol used here: ${}^\circ \mathrm K$ is technically incorrect.
Its $\LaTeX$ code is \mathrm K .
Also see
Source of Name
This entry was named for Lord Kelvin.
Sources
- 1964: Milton Abramowitz and Irene A. Stegun: Handbook of Mathematical Functions ... (previous) ... (next): $2$. Physical Constants and Conversion Factors
- 1969: J.C. Anderson, D.M. Hum, B.G. Neal and J.H. Whitelaw: Data and Formulae for Engineering Students (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): $1.$ Units and Abbreviations: $1.2$ SI units $(1)$ Basic units
- 1976: Ralph J. Smith: Circuits, Devices and Systems (3rd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): Chapter $1$: Electrical Quantities: Definitions and Laws: The International System of Units
- 1976: Ralph J. Smith: Circuits, Devices and Systems (3rd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): Chapter $1$: Electrical Quantities: Definitions and Laws: The International System of Units: Table $1$-$1$ Basic Quantities
- 1998: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): kelvin
- 2008: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (4th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): kelvin
- 2014: Christopher Clapham and James Nicholson: The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Mathematics (5th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): kelvin
- 2021: Richard Earl and James Nicholson: The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Mathematics (6th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): kelvin