Boltzmann's constant

9.2

A number used in physics that connects the energy of tiny particles to temperature

noun
/ˈboʊltsˌmænz ˈkɒnstənt/

Specialized

: constante de Boltzmann

The formula for entropy in thermodynamics includes Boltzmann's constant as a key parameter.

Examples

Scientists use Boltzmann's constant when determining the energy distribution of particles in a gas.
The value of Boltzmann's constant is fundamental to calculations in statistical mechanics.
The value of Boltzmann's constant is essential in thermodynamics.
Can you explain Boltzmann's constant to me?
In thermodynamics, we can use Boltzmann's constant to relate the temperature of a gas to the average kinetic energy of its particles.
The equation for entropy involves Boltzmann's constant and provides insight into the disorder of a system at a given temperature.
To calculate the energy of gas particles, one must include Boltzmann's constant in the ideal gas law formula.

Surface Forms

Boltzmann's constant singular

Boltzmann's constants plural

Morphology

Boltzmann's + constant

This is an eponymous technical term: knowing 'constant' only yields the general idea of a fixed value, while 'Boltzmann's' is a proper name that does not convey the physical role or meaning of the constant. The specific relation to particle kinetic energy and temperature is specialized domain knowledge and cannot be derived from the constituent words alone, so a B1 learner would not be able to infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Boltzmann's constant is named after the scientist Ludwig Boltzmann, who studied how tiny particles move in gases. He found a simple number that links a gas's 'temperature' to the 'energy' of each particle, so that small number took his name and is still used today.