A linear temperature scale is a system for measuring temperature that uses a uniform interval between each degree, resulting in a linear relationship between the scale's units and the actual temperature. In other words, each unit on the scale represents an equal difference in temperature.
Unlike other temperature scales, such as the Celsius or Fahrenheit scales, a linear temperature scale has equal intervals between each degree. This means that the difference between 10 and 20 degrees on the scale is the same as the difference between 80 and 90 degrees, making it a more precise and consistent way to measure temperature.
The most commonly used linear temperature scale is the Kelvin scale. It is often used in scientific and technical applications because it has a true zero point, meaning that 0 Kelvin represents absolute zero, the lowest possible temperature.
Yes, a linear temperature scale can be used to measure negative temperatures. The Kelvin scale, for example, extends infinitely in both positive and negative directions, with 0 Kelvin representing absolute zero. This means that negative temperatures can be represented on a linear temperature scale, unlike other scales where negative temperatures are not possible.
A linear temperature scale is typically calibrated using two fixed points, such as the freezing and boiling points of water. These points are assigned specific values on the scale, and the intervals between them are divided into equal units, creating a linear relationship between the scale's units and the actual temperature.