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Quizzes > Science > Physics

Temperature and Thermometer Quiz: Can You Ace It?

Dive into our temperature trivia quiz and master thermometer questions now!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration of thermometer, mercury numbers and heat icons on coral background for temperature quiz.

Use this quiz to see which of the following is true of temperature and how we measure it. You'll tackle short questions on scales, thermometers, and common myths so you can spot gaps before a class or exam. Need a refresher first? Try our temperature basics review , then follow up with more true/false practice.

Which physical quantity measures the average kinetic energy of particles in a substance?
Heat
Entropy
Temperature
Work
Temperature is directly related to the average kinetic energy of the molecules in a substance. When particles move faster on average, the temperature is higher. Heat, by contrast, is energy transferred due to a temperature difference.
What is the SI base unit for measuring temperature?
Rankine
Kelvin
Fahrenheit
Celsius
The Kelvin (K) is the SI base unit for temperature and is defined by the Boltzmann constant. Unlike Celsius and Fahrenheit, kelvin is an absolute scale starting at absolute zero.
At what temperature on the Kelvin scale is molecular motion theoretically at a minimum (absolute zero)?
373.15 K
0 K
273.15 K
100 K
Absolute zero is defined as 0 kelvin, the point at which particles have minimal vibrational motion. It corresponds to ?273.15 °C. No physical system can reach lower internal energy.
Which temperature scale sets the freezing point of water at 32 degrees?
Kelvin
Fahrenheit
Celsius
Rankine
The Fahrenheit scale defines the freezing point of water as 32 °F and the boiling point as 212 °F at standard atmospheric pressure. It was proposed by Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit in 1724.
Which statement correctly describes why heat flows between two objects?
Because they have equal mass
Because they have the same entropy
Due to a difference in temperature
Due to a difference in pressure
Heat transfer occurs spontaneously from an object at higher temperature to one at lower temperature until thermal equilibrium is reached. Differences in temperature drive the transfer, not mass or pressure directly.
Which law of thermodynamics establishes temperature as a transitive property that can be measured?
Third Law of Thermodynamics
Second Law of Thermodynamics
First Law of Thermodynamics
Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics
The Zeroth Law states that if two systems are in thermal equilibrium with a third system, they are in equilibrium with each other. This transitive property allows us to define and measure temperature consistently.
Which instrument measures temperature based on the voltage generated at the junction of two different metals?
Thermocouple
Thermistor
Bimetallic strip thermometer
Resistance Temperature Detector
A thermocouple uses two different metal wires joined at one end. The temperature difference between the measuring junction and a reference junction generates a voltage proportional to temperature.
What is the definition of specific heat capacity of a substance?
Heat required to raise 1 kilogram by 1 Kelvin
Heat required to boil 1 liter of liquid
Heat required to raise 1 gram by 1 °C
Heat required to melt 1 kg of substance
Specific heat capacity is the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of one kilogram of a substance by one kelvin. It is an intensive property that varies by material.
What is the equivalent of 25 °C on the Fahrenheit scale?
80 °F
68 °F
77 °F
100 °F
To convert °C to °F, multiply by 9/5 and add 32: (25 × 9/5) + 32 = 77 °F. This linear conversion shifts and scales Celsius values.
Which temperature scale is defined by setting its zero point at absolute zero and its unit size equal to that of the Celsius degree?
Fahrenheit scale
Rankine scale
Kelvin scale
Celsius scale
The Kelvin scale starts at absolute zero (0 K) and uses the same degree increments as the Celsius scale. It is widely used in scientific contexts.
What does a negative absolute temperature indicate in certain thermodynamic systems?
A system with inverted population where high-energy states are more populated
A measurement error in the thermometer
Temperatures below absolute zero in kelvin
A system with infinite heat capacity
Negative temperatures occur in systems with a bounded energy spectrum and population inversion. Such systems have more occupancy in higher-energy than lower-energy states, making them 'hotter than infinite temperature.'
In statistical mechanics, temperature T is related to entropy S and internal energy U by which relation?
1/T = dU/dS
1/T = dS/dU
T = dS/dU
T = ?Q/?W
Temperatures in statistical mechanics satisfy the relation 1/T = ?S/?U (at constant volume and particle number). This links macroscopic temperature to microscopic states.
In an ideal gas thermometer, temperature is directly proportional to which measured property at constant volume?
Volume
Heat capacity
Pressure
Density
At constant volume, the pressure of an ideal gas is directly proportional to its temperature (in kelvins) by the ideal gas law: P ? T. This principle underlies the ideal gas thermometer.
Wien's displacement law describes how the blackbody radiation spectrum shifts with temperature. Which form expresses this law?
?_max ? T^4
?_max = b / T
?_max = b × T
?_max ? T^2
Wien's law states that the wavelength of peak emission ?_max is inversely proportional to temperature: ?_max = b/T, where b is Wien's displacement constant. Hotter blackbodies emit peak radiation at shorter wavelengths.
According to the Arrhenius equation, how does increasing temperature affect chemical reaction rates?
Reaction rate decreases linearly with temperature
Reaction rate increases logarithmically with temperature
Reaction rate increases exponentially with temperature
Reaction rate is independent of temperature
The Arrhenius equation k = A e^(?Ea/(RT)) shows reaction rate k increases exponentially as temperature T increases. Higher temperatures allow more molecules to overcome the activation energy barrier.
What is a necessary condition for a physical system to exhibit negative absolute temperatures?
It must have zero entropy
It must have an energy spectrum bounded above
It must exchange work but not heat
It must be at a temperature just below 0 K
Negative temperatures arise only in systems with a maximum possible energy (an upper bound) so that population inversion can occur. Without an upper limit, the concept of negative temperature is not physically meaningful.
The Planck temperature is considered the highest meaningful temperature in physics. Approximately what is its value?
10^40 K
10^20 K
10^32 K
10^10 K
The Planck temperature (~1.4168 × 10^32 K) arises from fundamental constants and marks the scale where quantum gravity effects dominate. Above this, current physics theories cannot describe conditions.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand Temperature Fundamentals -

    Learn how temperature relates to thermal energy and how it's quantified in scientific contexts.

  2. Differentiate Between Temperature Scales -

    Explore the characteristics of Celsius, Fahrenheit, and Kelvin scales and when each is most appropriate.

  3. Interpret Thermometer Measurements -

    Examine how thermometers work, factors affecting accuracy, and best practices for calibration.

  4. Evaluate True Temperature Statements -

    Identify and confirm scientifically accurate facts about temperature from a variety of challenging statements.

  5. Apply Temperature Measurement Insights -

    Select the right type of thermometer and measurement method for different real-world scenarios.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Temperature as Kinetic Energy -

    Temperature reflects the average kinetic energy of particles in a substance, meaning higher temperatures indicate faster-moving molecules (University Physics, MIT OpenCourseWare). Remember: more motion = more heat, just like a crowd dancing energetically raises the room's warmth!

  2. Primary Temperature Scales & Conversions -

    The three main scales are Celsius (°C), Fahrenheit (°F), and Kelvin (K), with conversion formulas F = (9/5) × C + 32 and K = C + 273.15 (NIST). A handy mnemonic for Celsius-to-Fahrenheit: "Multiply by nine, divide by five, then add thirty-two" for quick temperature trivia quiz prep.

  3. Absolute Zero & Molecular Motion -

    Absolute zero (0 K or - 273.15 °C) is the theoretical temperature where molecular motion ceases, established by Lord Kelvin's work (Journal of Chemical Education). It forms the foundation for understanding supercold physics and temperature measurement facts in cryogenics.

  4. Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics -

    The Zeroth Law states that if two systems are each in thermal equilibrium with a third, they are in equilibrium with each other (American Journal of Physics). This principle underpins reliable thermometer questions quiz designs, confirming that all accurate thermometers measure the same "temperature".

  5. Thermometer Types & Accuracy -

    Common thermometers include liquid-in-glass, thermocouples, and infrared devices, each with unique response times and precision limits (NIST). When tackling a temperature trivia quiz, note that calibration standards and sensor placement can affect reading accuracy by ±0.1 °C.

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