R ReadLittle The Kids' Encyclopedia

Temperature

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A measure of how hot or cold something is


Temperature is a way of measuring how hot or cold something is. It shows how much energy the particles of a substance have. When particles move quickly, the temperature is high, and when they move slowly, the temperature is low. Temperature helps us describe weather, cook food, and understand how machines and living things work.

The energy that causes temperature is called heat energy or thermal energy. Heat always moves from warmer things to cooler ones until both reach the same temperature. For example, when you touch a cold metal spoon, heat moves from your hand to the spoon, making it feel cold. When you boil water, heat energy increases the temperature until the water turns into steam.

Temperature is measured with an instrument called a thermometer. There are different scales for measuring temperature, including Celsius (°C), Fahrenheit (°F), and Kelvin (K). In most countries, Celsius is used in daily life, while the Kelvin scale is often used in science. On the Celsius scale, water freezes at 0°C and boils at 100°C. On the Fahrenheit scale, water freezes at 32°F and boils at 212°F.

Temperature affects everything around us. weather forecasts use temperature to describe daily conditions. Animals depend on the right temperature to survive. Machines, engines, and electronic devices also work best within certain temperature ranges. For example, refrigerators keep food fresh by staying cool, while heaters warm up homes during cold weather.

Extreme temperatures can change the state of matter. When something gets cold enough, liquids can freeze into solids, and when heated enough, solids or liquids can turn into gases. These changes happen because temperature affects the motion and arrangement of particles in materials. Scientists use this knowledge to design materials and study natural processes.

In summary, temperature is an important physical quantity that helps explain many natural and human-made processes. It connects to heat, energy, and matter and plays a key role in weather, science, and daily life.

What We Can Learn

  • Temperature measures how hot or cold something is.
  • It depends on the movement of particles inside a substance.
  • It is measured in Celsius, Fahrenheit, or Kelvin.
  • Temperature affects weather, materials, and living things.