What is temperature?

What is temperature? In order to define temperature, we use a quantity. This quantity will then tell us how hot or cold something is compared with a standard temperature. 

After careful experimentations and observations, Celsius defined the standard temperature as 0 and we write 0°C.

Once we have 0 degree, which is the freezing point of water as our standard, any temperature that is colder or warmer can be measured relatively to 0 degree.

What is temperature according to the United States of America

Celsius is not the only scale that we use to measure temperature. Another commonly used scale specially in the United States is the Fahrenheit.

0 degree in the Celsius scale corresponds to 32 degrees in the Fahrenheit scale.

0°C = 32°F

This means that the freezing point of water in the Fahrenheit scale is 32 degrees. We show you below an example of a thermometer with some Celsius and Fahrenheit temperature. 

Right now this thermometer reads 50 degrees Celsius or 122 degrees Fahrenheit. 

What is temperature in relationship to kinetic energy?

We can also define temperature in terms of its kinetic energy. Recall that kinetic energy refers to energy in action or energy of something that is moving.

Recall also that we explained all matter is composed of atoms moving about lightly and quickly.       

This kinetic energy in atoms or molecules is what causes something to become warm.

The warmer something is, the higher the kinetic energy generated by the atoms of that thing. 

Recall also that the kinetic energy depends on the mass and the speed. 

Since the mass of an atom is not likely to change, the magnitude of the kinetic energy will depend mostly on the speed. 

This means that the warmer the object gets, the faster the movement of the atoms or molecules of that object.

What is temperature? Another scale

The Kelvin scale is used mostly in scientific experiment. In this scale, the number 0 is assigned to the lowest possible temperature.

If we could, it would correspond to -273.15 °C or -459.67 °F

For such lowest temperature, atoms or molecules in objects will not move and have no kinetic energy.

What is temperature? Take this quiz to see how well you understand the concept.

Take the temperature quiz below to see how well you understand the concept of temperature. After completing this quiz with 100% accuracy, you will know exactly what we mean by temperature in physics terms. You will not need to use a paper and pencil to complete this quiz.

First, read this lesson about temperature and then take this quiz.

Objective of the temperature quiz:

• Know what standard temperature is.
• Know what temperature will freeze or boil water.
• Know the scale used to measure temperature.
• Match situations with it corresponding temperature.
• Understand temperature in terms of kinetic energy.
• Know what the Kelvin scale is.