Changes

Chemists and Physicists working with [[gas]]es came to the realization that the conventional temperature scales were not adequate for characterizing the effect of temperature on the decrease in [[volume]] and [[pressure]] of gases with the corresponding decrease in the actual temperature of the gases.

Chemists and Physicists working with [[gas]]es came to the realization that the conventional temperature scales were not adequate for characterizing the effect of temperature on the decrease in [[volume]] and [[pressure]] of gases with the corresponding decrease in the actual temperature of the gases.

Ultimately, they realized that if they could decrease the temperature of an ideal gas to a point where all [[molecular motion]] ceased, that would be a good "[[absolute zero]]" point. They found that this temperature would be -273.16°C (-459.6°F).

Ultimately, they realized that if they could decrease the temperature of an ideal gas to a point where all [[molecular motion]] ceased, that would be a good "[[absolute zero]]" point. They found that this temperature would be -273.16 °C (-459.6 °F).

==Kelvin Scale==

==Kelvin Scale==

The Kelvin scale, which is based on the Celsius scale, sets the absolute zero point at 0 Kelvin (or just 0K).

The Kelvin scale, which is based on the Celsius scale, sets the absolute zero point at 0 Kelvin (or just 0K).

Thus, the melting point of water would be 273.16K (0°C + 273.16). Likewise, the boiling point of water is 373.16K (100°C + 273.16).

Thus, the melting point of water would be 273.16 K (0°C + 273.16). Likewise, the boiling point of water is 373.16 K (100 °C + 273.16).

==Rankine Scale==

==Rankine Scale==

Like the Kelvin scale, the absolute zero temperature on the Rankine scale is at its zero point - 0°R. However, one degree on the Rankine scale is one degree on the Fahrenheit scale.

Like the Kelvin scale, the absolute zero temperature on the Rankine scale is at its zero point - 0°R. However, one degree on the Rankine scale is one degree on the Fahrenheit scale.

Thus, the freezing point of water would be 491.6°R (32°F + 459.6), and the boiling point of water would be 671.6°R (212°F + 459.6).  

Thus, the freezing point of water would be 491.6 °R (32 °F + 459.6), and the boiling point of water would be 671.6 °R (212 °F + 459.6).  

[[Category:Units of temperature]]

[[Category:Units of temperature]]