Triple point facts for kids

The triple point of a substance is a special combination of temperature and pressure. At this exact point, the substance can exist as a solid, a liquid, and a gas all at the same time. It's like having ice, water, and steam all happily coexisting in a sealed container! This happens when all three states are in equilibrium, meaning they are balanced and not changing.

The triple point of water is very important in science. Scientists use it as a standard to help define and measure temperature. It's a fixed point that helps make sure temperature scales are accurate everywhere.

What is the Triple Point of Water?

The triple point of water is defined as 273.16 Kelvin (K). This is the same as 0.01 °C (degrees Celsius). This specific temperature and pressure combination is used to set up temperature scales.

How Does it Help Measure Temperature?

The Celsius temperature scale is based on the triple point of water. One degree Celsius is exactly 1/273.16th of the temperature difference between absolute zero and the triple point of water. This helps create a very precise and consistent temperature scale.

This definition is part of the ITS 90, which stands for the International Temperature Scale of 1990. The ITS 90 is a practical way to measure temperature that is very close to the ideal thermodynamic temperature scale. It helps scientists and engineers around the world measure temperature accurately for many different uses.

See also

In Spanish: Punto triple para niños