Temperature
Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in a substance. It is a fundamental concept in chemistry and is measured using various scales such as Celsius (°C), Fahrenheit (°F), and Kelvin (K).
Factors Affecting Temperature
The temperature of a substance is influenced by several factors including:
- Heat energy: The transfer of heat energy to or from a substance can change its temperature.
- Specific heat capacity: Different substances require different amounts of heat energy to raise their temperature by a certain amount.
- Phase changes: During phase changes (e.g., melting, boiling), the temperature remains constant as the substance absorbs or releases heat energy.
Temperature Scales
There are different temperature scales used in science and everyday applications:
- Celsius (°C): The Celsius scale is based on the freezing and boiling points of water, with 0°C as the freezing point and 100°C as the boiling point at standard atmospheric pressure.
- Fahrenheit (°F): The Fahrenheit scale is commonly used in the United States and is based on the freezing and boiling points of water, with 32°F as the freezing point and 212°F as the boiling point at standard atmospheric pressure.
- Kelvin (K): The Kelvin scale is based on absolute zero, the theoretical lowest temperature possible where all molecular motion ceases. Absolute zero is 0 Kelvin.
Measuring Temperature
Temperature can be measured using various instruments including:
- Thermometer: A device that measures temperature using the expansion and contraction of a liquid, such as mercury or alcohol, or using electrical properties in digital thermometers.
- Thermocouple: A temperature sensor consisting of two different conductors that produce a voltage proportional to the temperature difference between the ends.
- Infrared thermometer: A non-contact thermometer that measures temperature by detecting the infrared energy emitted by an object.
Conclusion
Understanding temperature is crucial in various fields including chemistry, physics, and engineering. It is important for describing the behavior of gases, chemical reactions, and the properties of materials.
[Temperature] Related Worksheets and Study Guides:
.◂Chemistry Worksheets and Study Guides High School. Organic Chemistry
Worksheet/Answer key
Organic Chemistry 
Worksheet/Answer key
Organic Chemistry Worksheet/Answer key
Organic Chemistry
Worksheet/Answer keyWorksheet/Answer keyThe resources above cover the following skills:
PHYSICAL SCIENCE (NGSS)
Matter and Its Interactions
Students who demonstrate understanding can:
Plan and conduct an investigation to gather evidence to compare the structure of substances at the bulk scale to infer the strength of electrical forces between particles.