Rankine, William John Macquorn
Published: August 18, 2006, 5:26 pm
Updated: August 18, 2006, 5:26 pm
This article has been reviewed by the following Topic Editor:
Peter Saundry
William John Macquorn Rankine (1820-1872), a Scottish engineer and physicist who was a founding contributor to the science of thermodynamics. Rankine developed a complete theory of the steam engine and his manuals on the subject were used for many decades. In 1853, he stated, in the Law of Conservation of Energy, that "all different kinds of physical energy in the universe are mutually convertible." He also invented an absolute temperature based on the interval of one degree Fahrenheit termed the Rankine temperature scale. Absolute zero, or 0° R, is the temperature at which molecular energy is at a minimum, corresponding to a temperature of 459.67 °F. Another absolute temperature scale, the Kelvin temperature scale, is more commonly used for scientific measurements today.
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Citation
Cutler J. Cleveland (Lead Author);Peter Saundry (Topic Editor) "Rankine, William John Macquorn". In: Encyclopedia of Earth. Eds. Cutler J. Cleveland (Washington, D.C.: Environmental Information Coalition, National Council for Science and the Environment). [First published in the Encyclopedia of Earth August 18, 2006; Last revised Date August 18, 2006; Retrieved June 19, 2013 <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Rankine,_William_John_Macquorn>
The Author
Cutler J. Cleveland is Professor of Earth and Environment at Boston University, where he also is on the faculty of the Center for Energy and Environmental Studies. Professor Cleveland is Editor-in-Chief of the Encyclopedia of Energy (Elsevier, 2004), winner of an American Library Association award, the Dictionary of Energy (Elsevier, 2005), Handbook of Energy (Elsevier, forthcoming), and is the Founding Editor-in-Chief of the Encyclopedia of Earth. He is the recipient of the Adelma ... (Full Bio)
William John Macquorn Rankine (1820-1872), a Scottish engineer and physicist who was a founding contributor to the science of thermodynamics. Rankine developed a complete theory of the steam engine and his manuals on the subject were used for many decades. In 1853, he stated, in the Law of Conservation of Energy, that "all different kinds of physical energy in the universe are mutually convertible." He also invented an absolute temperature based on the interval of one degree Fahrenheit termed the Rankine temperature scale. Absolute zero, or 0° R, is the temperature at which molecular energy is at a minimum, corresponding to a temperature of 459.67 °F. Another absolute temperature scale, the Kelvin temperature scale, is more commonly used for scientific measurements today.
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