The word "temperature" is spelled with a unique combination of letters that doesn't always match its pronunciation. The IPA phonetic transcription for this word is /ˈtɛmpərətʃər/. The "e" in the first syllable, "tem," is pronounced like a short "e" sound, while the "pe" in the final syllable is pronounced like a schwa sound. The "at" in the second syllable is pronounced like a short "a" sound, and the "er" in the third syllable is pronounced like an "er" sound. Despite its challenging spelling, "temperature" is a commonly used word in English, referring to the degree of heat or coldness in a given atmosphere.
Temperature is a fundamental concept in physics and thermodynamics, referring to the degree of hotness or coldness of a substance or object. It is essentially a measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles comprising the substance. Temperature quantifies the intensity of thermal energy, indicating how fast the particles are moving or vibrating.
Temperature is typically measured using a thermometer, which relies on the expansion or contraction of certain materials with changing temperatures. The most widely used temperature scale is the Celsius scale, although the Fahrenheit and Kelvin scales are also commonly used. The Celsius scale sets the freezing point of water at 0 degrees Celsius and the boiling point at 100 degrees Celsius.
In scientific terms, temperature is directly related to the random motion of particles in a substance. As temperature increases, the particles gain more energy, resulting in faster movement or increased vibration. Conversely, at lower temperatures, the particles possess lower energy levels and move or vibrate more slowly.
Temperature plays a crucial role in various fields, including physics, chemistry, meteorology, and engineering. It affects physical properties such as the volume, pressure, and density of substances. Moreover, temperature influences numerous natural phenomena, including weather patterns, phase transitions, chemical reactions, and biological processes. Understanding and controlling temperature is important in a wide range of applications, from climate control in buildings to industrial processes, medical treatments, and space exploration.
The sensible heat of any substance.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Degree of heat or cold; any degree of sensible heat as measured by the thermometer.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "temperature" has its origins in Latin. It comes from the Latin term "temperatura", which means "moderate state" or "mixture". The root of the word is "temperare", which means "to mix or combine". In earlier usage, "temperature" referred to the mixing or balancing of all four bodily humors that the ancients believed were responsible for one's physical and mental health. Over time, the term came to specifically refer to the measurement of heat and cold in science.