Which temperature scale uses absolute zero as a reference?

The Kelvin scale is the temperature scale that utilizes absolute zero as its reference point. Absolute zero is defined as 0 Kelvin, which is the theoretical temperature at which all molecular motion ceases. This scale is particularly important in scientific contexts because it provides a clear, absolute measurement of temperature, allowing for straightforward calculations in thermodynamics and other scientific disciplines.

In the Kelvin scale, each degree increment is equivalent to that of the Celsius scale, but the key difference is the starting point. While the Celsius scale sets the freezing point of water at 0 degrees, the Kelvin scale starts at absolute zero. This allows for a direct representation of thermal energy, which is crucial in fields like physics and chemistry.

The other temperature scales, such as Celsius, Fahrenheit, and Rankine, do not start from absolute zero. Celsius is based on the freezing and boiling points of water, Fahrenheit is rooted in a different set of physical changes, and Rankine is similar to Kelvin but starts at absolute zero in Fahrenheit degrees. However, the Kelvin scale’s foundational relationship with absolute zero makes it the primary scale for scientific temperature measurements.