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Lord KelvinJune 26, 1824 – December 17, 1907
Lord Kelvin was an Irish-Scottish mathematical physicist and engineer. At the University of Glasgow, he did important work in the mathematical analysis of electricity and the formulation of the first and second laws of thermodynamics. He did much to unify the then-emerging discipline of physics in its modern form. While the existence of a lower limit to temperature (absolute zero) was known prior to Kelvin’s work, he is known for determining its correct value as approximately -273.15°C or -495.67°F. In his honour, absolute temperatures are stated in units of kelvin. World Refrigeration Day is celebrated on June 26 to mark his birthday. |