Absolute zero: The temperature at which a substance has no kinetic energy per particle (thermal) to give up. This temperature corresponds to 0 K, or to -273' C.
Bimetallic strip: Two strips of different metals, such as one of brass and one of iron, welded or riveted together into one strip. Because the two substances expand at different rates, when heated or cooled the strip bends. Used in thermostats.
Calorie: A unit of heat. one calorie (symbol cal) is the heat required to raise the temperature of one gram of water one Celsius degree. One calorie ( with a capital C) is equal to one thousand calories and is the unit used in describing the energy available from food (1 cal= 4.184J, or 1J=0.24 cal)
Celsius scale: A temperature scale with 0 as the melt-freeze temperature for water and 100 as the boil-condense temperature of water at standard pressure (one atmosphere at sea level.)
Fahrenheit scale: The temperature scale in common use in the united states. The number 32 is assigned to the freezing point of water, and the number 212 to the boiling point of water,(at standard atmospheric pressure)
Heat:Energy transfer via random molecular motions,resulting gain or loss of internal energy.
Internal energy:The total energy stored in the atoms and molecules withing a substance.
Kelvin scale: A temperature scale whose zero ( called absolute zero) is the temperature at which it is impossible to extract any more internal energy from a material. 0 K=273'C. There are no negative temperatures on the kelvin scale.
Kilocalorie:A unit of heat. One kilocalories equals1000 calories, or the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one kilogram of water by 1'C.
specific heat capacity: The quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of a unit mass of a substance by one degree Celsius. Often simply called "specific heat", or "heat capacity".
Temperature: The property of a material that tells how warm or cold it is relative to some standards. In and ideal gas, the molecular kinetic energy per molecule.
Thermal contact: The state of two or more objects or substances in contact such that it is possible for heat to flow from one object or substance to another.
Thermal equilibrium: The state of two or more objects or substances in thermal contact when they have reached a common temperature.
Thermostat: A type of valve or switch that responds to changes in the temperature and that is used to control the temperature of something.