Basic Theory
As distinct from a quantity of heat, temperature may be viewed as a measure of a quality of a body or of heat. The quality is called hotness by some writers.
When two systems are at the same temperature, no net heat transfer occurs spontanteously, by conduction or radiation, between them. When a temperature difference does exist, and there is a thermally conductive or radiative connection between them, there is spontaneous heat transfer from the warmer system to the colder system, until they are at mutual thermal equilibrium. Heat transfer occurs by conduction or by thermal radiation.
Experimental physicists, for example Galileo and Newton, found that there are indefinitely many empirical temperature scales.
Read more about this topic: Temperature
Famous quotes containing the words basic and/or theory:
“We cant nourish our children if we dont nourish ourselves.... Parents who manage to stay married, sane, and connected to each other share one basic characteristic: The ability to protect even small amounts of time together no matter what else is going on in their lives.”
—Ron Taffel (20th century)
“Wont this whole instinct matter bear revision?
Wont almost any theory bear revision?
To err is human, not to, animal.”
—Robert Frost (18741963)