The temperature scale used in physics, synonym: absolute temperature.
The zero point of the Kelvin scale is at absolute zero; a temperature difference of one Kelvin (abbreviated 1 K and, rarely, also called one “degree Kelvin”) is the same as a difference of one degree Celsius, as both scales differ only by their choice of zero point: X degrees Celsius are (X plus 273.15) Kelvin, Y Kelvin are (Y minus 273,15) degrees Celsius.
Relation to the Fahrenheit scale: X degrees Fahrenheit are (X+459,67)*5/9 Kelvin, Y Kelvin are (Y*9/5)-459,67 degrees Fahrenheit.
Basic laws governing the orbital motions of planets around the sun. First law: Each planetary orbit is an ellipse, with the sun in one of its focus points. Second law: If you connect the planet and the sun by an imaginary line then, in equal time intervals, the line will sweep out equally large areas, independent on where the planet is on its orbit. Third law: dividing the square of a planet’s orbital period by the third power of it’s average distance from the sun gives the same value for all planets in the solar system; written as a formula: period²/(average distance to the sun)³ = const.
Kepler’s laws follow directly from the laws of classical mechanics and Newton’s law of gravity. However, they are only valid approximately – the gravitational pull of the planets on each other, as well as the fact that, ultimately, gravity is governed not by Newton’s laws, but by general relativity (see relativistic perihelion shift) lead to small deviations from perfectly elliptic orbits.
Synonyms: Kepler's laws of planetary motion
Kerr black hole
The simplest kind of rotating black hole: a model universe containing a single rotating black hole and nothing else. This solution to Einstein’s equations was found by Roy Kerr in 1963.
Synonyms: Kerr solution
Kerr-Newman black hole
The simplest kind of rotating, electrically charged black hole: a model universe containing a single rotating, charged black hole and nothing else. This solution to Einstein’s equations was found independently by Roy Kerr and Ted Newman in 1963.
Synonyms: Kerr-Newman solution
See electron volt
A type of energy that has to be ascribed to an object simply because that object moves relative to the reference frame. In classical, pre-Einstein physics, the amount of energy is given by a half times an object’s mass times the square of its speed.