Optimum Temperature

Heat and temperature are not the same. Heat is the quantity of energy that is transmitted due to the change in temperature from one body to another. In terms of thermodynamics, we say heat transfers from a hot body to a cold body since there is a difference in temperature between the system and surroundings. 

Heat is a form of energy. Heat is the energy that usually transmits from a system of higher temperature to a system of lower temperature between the systems or system and surroundings which differ in temperature. Such a form of energy is called thermal energy or heat energy. Heat energy is usually measured by units like calories and joules.

Heat is usually transmitted through the conductors. Conductors are those materials that can allow heat energy to pass through them. Some examples of conductors are metals, human beings, alloys, etc.

Briefing the content

The hotness or coldness of the body that can be sensed is said to be temperature. Temperature can be usually measured by using various instruments. Temperature is said to be a parameter that means a physical quantity that can be measured. Temperature is said to be an intensive property according to thermodynamics. An intensive property is a property of a system that does not change with the quantity of the system or the mass of the contents.

Example: One-liter water is heated and the temperature of the water rises to 100 degrees Celsius. If half the water is shifted to another vessel and if we checks the temperature, it remains with the same hotness. It means the temperature of the system does not change with the amount or quantity of matter.

Temperature measuring scales

The temperature being a physical quantity, can be measured by an instrument called a thermometer. Usually, thermometers can be of different types like

Digital thermometer

Ear thermometer

Infrared thermometer

Strip type thermometer

Mercury thermometer

1. Digital thermometer: Digital thermometers are easy to handle and most accurate in results. It is usually used to know the body temperature kept underarm for the prescribed time.

2. Ear thermometer: It is also called a tympanic thermometer. It is placed in ear, and the result can be known in a second. We get the value accurately only if it is placed properly in the ear.

3. Infrared thermometer: IR thermometers use an infrared scanner to measure temperature.

4. Strip type thermometer: This thermometer is usually used on the forehead to check the temperature. 

5. Mercury thermometer: Mercury thermometers are not usually suggested to use as they are made of glass that can break and contains mercury which can spill. Now they are rarely found.

Temperature can be measured by using various scales, and accordingly, units of temperature also vary.

Temperature measuring scales are of various types:

1. Celsius scale

2. Fahrenheit scale

3. Kelvin scale

Each scale has a different range of units and specific calculations.

1. Celsius scale:  Celsius scale is the commonly used temperature scale. It contains units from 0 to 100.

The lowest temperature value is 0 degrees, and the highest is 100 degrees, and for this reason, this scale is also called the centigrade scale. 0 degrees represent the freezing point of water, and 100 degrees represent the boiling point of water which is considered at both sea level pressure and atmospheric pressure.

2. Fahrenheit scale: This scale is usually used in the united scale, which contains units from 32F to 212F.In terms of the Fahrenheit scale, water freezes at 32F, and water boil at 212F at sea level and atmospheric pressure.

3. Kelvin scale:  Kelvin scale is used for scientific calculations and measurements. It is considered an accurate measuring scale. Its zero point is 0K and can be related to the Celsius scale by adding 273 to degrees Celsius. For example; 0 degrees can be converted to Kelvin by adding 273

 0 degree + 273 = 273 K

Similarly, to get degrees from Kelvin, subtract 273 or add -273

 0 K + (-273) = -273 degrees.0K is said to be absolute zero condition.

Absolute Zero: Absolute zero temperature is 0K or -273 degrees Celsius, at which the energy of a thermodynamic system is very low, and the movement of particles tends to cease.

Body temperature

The temperature of a human body is usually expressed on the Fahrenheit scale, and it is in the range of 98 F to 99F. Any change in the temperature of the body can lead to a disturbance in metabolic activity. This temperature is said to be a normal body temperature. If the body gets hot or cold due to the food or climatic conditions, temperature either drops or increases more than normal. Then the body experiences low fever or high fever.

Optimum temperature

The temperature that works best for a procedure is an optimum temperature. The optimum temperature varies for different living beings, enzymes, reactions, etc.

The optimum temperature for enzymes is the temperature at which enzymes perform their highest activity which is usually the room temperature.

The optimum temperature for human beings is 98 F, and for cold-blooded animals, it will be even less than that.

If the body goes beyond optimum temperature, regulation of the body is needed by drinking water working out to sweat out the heat. Similarly, if the temperature goes below the optimum, muscles nerves of the body get numb and freeze again. The regulation of temperature is ensured by rubbing hands or exposing them to fire, or eating food that has high energy.

Conclusion

Temperature can be referred to as the measure of the degree of hotness or coldness of a body.Many people think that temperature is a form of energy, which is simply not true. In fact, it is a measurement that shows the average kinetic energy in one atom or molecule.We can measure temperature using a tool called a thermometer in various temperature scales. The most common of such scales are Celsius, Fahrenheit, and Kelvin.Kelvin is the absolute measurement scale with no negative value. The temperature that works best for a procedure is an optimum temperature. The optimum temperature varies for different living beings, enzymes, reactions, etc.