The Relation of Temperature to Energy Spreadsheet

Abstract

Thirty years ago (when some of us took physics) some physics textbooks described temperature as a “fundamental indefinable”: something, like length, time, or mass that could not be expressed in terms simpler than itself. In fact, temperature can be expressed in “simpler” terms: the relation between temperature, energy, and the properties of a material is well developed. Yet, this relation is not clearly elaborated in most physical chemistry textbooks. However, these relationships can easily be included in the early part of a physical chemistry course on thermodynamics, and this interactive Excel spreadsheet can help.