Universal Mountain/Sea Thermometer

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the definitions of temperature in Celsius and Kelvin, highlighting that 0°C is the triple point of water and 100°C is its boiling point at standard pressure. It notes that while water boils at lower temperatures at high altitudes, thermometers remain calibrated to show 100°C. The conversation also touches on the challenges of thermometer calibration due to impurities in water and the conventions of temperature and pressure used in various contexts. Additionally, participants discuss the technicalities of using keyboard shortcuts for typing degree symbols on different computer systems. Overall, the thread explores the complexities of temperature measurement and calibration in scientific contexts.
kleinwolf
Messages
293
Reaction score
0
Taking the definition we have in Europe (I don't know the US version of it) of temperature (we use Celsius Degree here most of the time) : 0° is defined as the triple point of water, and 100° the boiling point. Then I suppose it is usual to make a linear approx (dilatation is linear in first approx)..but then this should give altitude dependent thermometer ??
 
Science news on Phys.org
I'm not quite sure that I understand your question. The 0 and 100 degrees C. are established at standard pressure. While water will boil at less than 100* at high altitude, the thermometer won't change to show it as 100*. (Damn, I wish this PC had a degree sign. )
 
alt+0176 Danger...


°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
 
Now I'm even more baffled, Fred. I tried what you said, and as soon as I entered alt017 PF closed and kicked me back to IE. Never even had a chance to hit 6. :confused:
 
You have to use the numbers on the number key pad, not the ones near the QWERTY. I If I try to do it on my laptop, it does the same thing.
 
high temperature adversely affect PC working. But does pressure affect?
 
Thanks, Fred. I'm still not used to stupid PC's, and the NumLock on this one wasn't engaged. Macs don't have keypads. °°° :smile:
 
Yes, I think there is a lack in this defintion, we don't say the amount of impurities (ions, or isotopes of water), which makes verxy precise building of thermometer not easy...By the way, does somebody know where the convention T=25°C and P=1025hPa comes from...or it other convention in other countries (in fact i don't even know the European one)...
 
Can't tell you what this week's IUPAC-IUPAP conventions are, but the b.p. got scrapped long time ago.
The Kelvin scale is defined by absolute zero and the triple point of water. The Kelvin is 1/273.16 of the temperature difference between the triple point of "Vienna Water" (?), don't quote me on "Vienna," and absolute zero. Takes care of the composition question, and of pressure. b.p. of water at one atmosphere is 99.xyz oC, and 0 oC is still 273.15 K.
Help any?
 
  • #10
(Yes, this is exactly the point, there is 1/100 per scaling unit difference between K and °C...??) But technically speaking, how to do calibrate a thermometer at 0K ?
 
  • #11
FredGarvin said:
alt+0176 Danger...
°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
Of course if you were on a MACINTOSH computer you would just press option+k. K for Kelvin.
 
  • #12
Mk, you goof... it's Option-0 on my G3. :-p
I also got one by accident once with a Command-Option-? combo.
 
Back
Top