Absolute zero : The temperature at which a substance as no kinetic energy per particle (thermal) to give up. This temperature corresponds to 0 K, OR TO -273C
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.
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.
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.
Heat : energy transfer via random molecular motions, resulting in gain or loss of internal energy.
Internal energy : The total energy stored in the atoms and molecules within a substance.
Kelvin scale : A temperature scale whose zero is the temperature at which it is impossible to extract any more internal energy from a material. 0 K = -273C. There are no negative temperatures on the Kelvin scale.
Kilo-calorie : A unit of heat
Specific heat capacity : The quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of a unit mass of a substance by one degree Celsius.
Temperature : The property of a material that tells how warm or cold it is relative o some standard.
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 o 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 value or switch that responds to changes in temperature and that is used to control the temperature of something.