Kelvin temperature scale
Quick Summary
The Kelvin scale is an absolute temperature scale used for scientific temperature measurement. It is the base unit of thermodynamic temperature in the International System of Units (SI).1
Key points about the Kelvin scale:
* Zero Point: Its zero point is absolute zero, the theoretical temperature at which molecules have the minimum energy. Absolute zero is equivalent to -273.15 °C or -459.67 °F.213
* Unit Size: A kelvin is the same size as a Celsius degree. The Kelvin scale is essentially the Celsius scale shifted by 273.15 degrees.14
* Definition: Since May 20, 2019, the kelvin is defined by setting the Boltzmann constant to 1.380649 × 10−23 joule per kelvin. Previously, it was defined based on the triple point of water.142
* Significance: Using an absolute temperature scale like Kelvin simplifies many physical laws and formulas, making it the standard for scientific temperature measurement.14
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