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Re: Fundamental Physical Properties



It is basically energy (by way of Boltzmann's constant). See e.g.
Kittel and Kroemer, Thermal Physics.

But the kelvin has me stumped. The nearest I have come is the internal
energy of an ideal monatomic gas, U=(3/2)nRT, but this does not give a
definition of the kelvin in terms of the meter, kilometer, and second, and
is only true for ideal and monatomic gases. Real gases and molecular
gases contain different amounts of energy even while they are in thermal
equalibrium, i.e.; at the same temperature. Is not the kelvin as
fundamental as the other four units?

Joe D. Darling

Paul J. Camp "The Beauty of the Universe
Assistant Professor of Physics consists not only of unity
Coastal Carolina University in variety but also of
Conway, SC 29528 variety in unity.
pjcamp@coastal.edu --Umberto Eco
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