Temperature in Space: The Kelvin Scale

[Niladri Dan]

The Kelvin scale states that the temperature is a measure of the kinetic energy of the particles(molecules) of the system. But what is the temperature of a system where there are no particles...for example free space, far away from the stellar civilisation...

 

[Tom.G]

The temperature of the Microwave Background Radiation.
But Gee, Google is your friend. Here are the first two hits of 'About 300,000,000.'

http://www.space.com/14719-spacekids-temperature-outer-space.html
http://www.universetoday.com/77070/how-cold-is-space/

 

[davenn]

The Kelvin scale states that the temperature is a measure of the kinetic energy of the particles(molecules) of the system. But what is the temperature of a system where there are no particles...for example free space, far away from the stellar civilisation...

hi there

for a start have a read of some better definitions of the Kelvin scale compared to what you wrote

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelvin

you will discover that temperature isn't just based on kinetic energy of the particlesDave

 

[Nugatory]

The Kelvin scale states that the temperature is a measure of the kinetic energy of the particles(molecules) of the system. But what is the temperature of a system where there are no particles...for example free space, far away from the stellar civilisation...

That definition of temperature in terms of the kinetic energy of the particles in a system is incomplete; we also have to include a contribution from whatever radiation, like the cosmic microwave background, is out there. And even intergalactic space is not completely devoid of matter - there are a few stray atoms floating around, and the occasional highly energetic cosmic ray coming through.

 

[pBrane]

I have tried to think about the some thing but 'in the gaps' at molecular level of the atmosphere.

 

[jbriggs444]

I have tried to think about the some thing but 'in the gaps' at molecular level of the atmosphere.

The temperature "in the gaps" between molecules does not exist. Temperature is a statistical property of large collections of things such as atoms and molecules. If you restrict your attention to a setting with a collection of zero objects, temperature is no longer an attribute of that collection.

Apologies if I've misunderstood your posting.

 

[pBrane]

The temperature "in the gaps" between molecules does not exist. Temperature is a statistical property of large collections of things such as atoms and molecules. If you restrict your attention to a setting with a collection of zero objects, temperature is no longer an attribute of that collection.

Apologies if I've misunderstood your posting.

Don't worry about it, I may have misunderstood my posting as well!

 

[davenn]

Don't worry about it, I may have misunderstood my posting as well!

WOW ... over 2 years to respond ... almost a record

 

[pBrane]

WOW ... over 2 years to respond ... almost a record

wuz time travlin, just sayin.. topic probably banned here so don't tell anyone!