Temperature Scales
• Want temperature scale where energy is proportional to T
– Celsius scale is “arbitrary”  (Fahrenheit even more so)
• 0o C     = freezing point of water
• 100o C = boiling point of water
– By experiment, available energy = 0 at “Absolute Zero” = –273oC  (-
459.7oF)
– Define “Kelvin” scale with same step size as Celsius, but 0K = -273oC =
Absolute Zero
• Use Kelvin Scale for most of work in this course
– Available energy is proportional to T, making equations simple (really!
OK, simpler)
– 273K = freezing point of water
– 373K = boiling point of water
– 300K   approximately room temperature