Boltzmann constant

Or Boltzmann's constant

noun

Physics.

1. the ratio of the universal gas constant to Avogadro's number, equal to 1.3803 × 10 −16 erg per degree C. k

Boltzmann constant

noun

1. k. physics the ratio of the gas constant to the Avogadro constant, equal to 1.380 650 × 10 ^–23 joule per kelvin

Word History and Origins

Origin of Boltzmann constant¹

First recorded in 1905–10; after L. Boltzmann

Example Sentences

For a steady-temperature system, metrologists can combine these density measurements — effectively the number of particles in the cavity — with the Boltzmann constant, which relates temperature to kinetic energy.

Read more on Nature

The kelvin will soon be defined by the Boltzmann constant, which links energy and temperature, rather than in reference to conditions at a specific temperature of water, known as the triple point.

Read more on Nature

Boltzmann constant, or a change in thermal energy of 1.380 649 × 10−23 joules.

Read more on The Verge

The four will be based on Planck's constant, the elementary charge, the Boltzmann constant and the Avogadro constant, respectively.

Read more on Scientific American

“We hope that eventually by international agreement our measurements and others will ‘fix’ the Boltzmann constant so that forever after we define temperature as a certain number of joules per degree kelvin.”

Read more on Scientific American