¿Que es la TEMPERATURA? Escalas, tipos, calor, termómetro
Understanding Temperature and Heat
Definition of Temperature
- Temperature is a measure that expresses the amount of heat or thermal energy present in an environment, object, or human body.
- All objects and substances are made up of molecules that are in constant motion; the sum of this energy from molecular movement is known as thermal energy or heat.
Relationship Between Temperature and Heat Transfer
- Temperature is related to the flow or transfer of heat; when one object transfers heat to another, its temperature decreases while the other object's temperature increases.
- Human normal body temperature ranges between 36.5°C and 37.5°C; deviations can indicate various illnesses.
States of Matter: Boiling and Melting Points
- The boiling point is where a liquid turns into gas; for water, it’s at 100°C (212°F).
- The melting point refers to when a solid becomes liquid; for water, it’s at 0°C (32°F).
Environmental Temperature Variations
- Ambient temperature varies throughout the day and year due to seasonal changes; deserts experience high daytime temperatures but low nighttime temperatures.
- In the Northern Hemisphere, summer brings high temperatures while winter results in much colder conditions.
Body Temperature Measurement
Basal Body Temperature
- Basal body temperature is measured early in the morning after at least five hours of sleep; it's used to determine fertility periods in women.
- A rise in basal body temperature by 0.2°C to 1°C indicates ovulation, increasing chances of conception.
Ignition Point
- Ignition point refers to the temperature at which combustion begins for flammable substances.
Temperature Scales
Celsius Scale
- The Celsius scale sets water's freezing point at 0°C and boiling point at 100°C.
- To convert Celsius to Fahrenheit: Fahrenheit = (Celsius × 1.8) + 32.
Kelvin Scale
- To convert Celsius to Kelvin: Kelvin = Celsius + 273.15.
- The Kelvin scale does not apply to everyday phenomena but was created for scientific research with absolute zero being -273.15°C (-459.67°F).
Heat vs. Temperature
Distinction Between Concepts
- Heat is thermal energy produced by molecular movement, varying with molecule quantity, size, and speed.
- Unlike heat, temperature measures how much heat an object contains without indicating its total thermal energy content.
Thermometers: Measuring Instruments
History and Functionality
- Thermometers were invented by Galileo Galilei in 1592; modern versions include digital thermometers alongside traditional mercury thermometers.
Mercury Thermometers
- Mercury thermometers consist of glass tubes containing mercury that expands with increased temperature due to thermal expansion principles.