What did Lord Kelvin's scale, developed in 1848, define as its absolute zero point?
Answer
The theoretical point of zero thermal energy
Lord Kelvin, whose full name was William Thomson, introduced the Kelvin scale as an absolute thermodynamic temperature scale. This scale is foundational to modern physics because its zero point, $0$ Kelvin, is not arbitrary but is defined by fundamental physical principles: it represents the theoretical state where all thermal motion ceases, equating to zero thermal energy. This absolute reference point is crucial because it allows for calculations in thermodynamics that are independent of the specific materials or reference points used in scales like Fahrenheit or Celsius, even though industrial logging often favored the more accessible Celsius or Fahrenheit scales for daily use.
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