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3: Temperature

  • Page ID
    7227
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    During our studies of heat and thermodynamics, we shall come across a number of simple, easy-tounderstand terms such as entropy, enthalpy, Gibbs free energy, chemical potential and fugacity, and we expect to have no difficulty with these. There is, however, one concept that is really quite difficult to grasp, and that is temperature. We shall do our best to understand it in this chapter.

    • 3.1: Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics
      This page explains temperature as a potential function influencing heat flow, introducing thermal equilibrium, where two bodies have equal temperatures when no heat flows between them. It highlights the Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics, which states that bodies in thermal equilibrium with a third body are also in equilibrium with each other, demonstrating the inherent nature of temperature while not providing a quantitative measurement scale.
    • 3.2: Temperature Scales I
      This page covers various temperature scales, including Celsius, Fahrenheit, Kelvin, Rankine, and Réaumur. It details their fixed points and historical origins, emphasizing the Celsius scale's definition. Fahrenheit is related to water's freezing and boiling points, while Celsius has a 100-degree interval. The Kelvin scale is highlighted as the principal scientific scale, starting from absolute zero.
    • 3.3: Temperature Scales II
      This page outlines the challenges in creating consistent temperature scales and thermometers based on material properties like mercury expansion and electrical resistance. It highlights the concept of an absolute temperature scale derived from the Carnot Heat Engine and introduces the International Temperature Scale 1990 (ITS90), which uses fixed points to maintain measurement consistency.


    This page titled 3: Temperature is shared under a CC BY-NC 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Jeremy Tatum.