Boltzmann constant

The Boltzmann constant ($k$ or $k_B$) is the physical constant relating temperature to energy.

It is named after the Austrian physicist Ludwig Eduard Boltzmann. Its experimentally determined value (in SI units, 2002 CODATA value) is:

$k_B=1.3806505(24)\times 10^{-23}$ $J{K}^{-1}$

$=8.617343(15)\times 10^{-5}$ $eV$ $K^{-1}$

In units with molecular significance it is close to 1, e.g. DL_POLY units.

See also

• C. Daussy, M. Guinet, A. Amy-Klein, K. Djerroud, Y. Hermier, S. Briaudeau, Ch. J. Bordé, and C. Chardonnet "Direct Determination of the Boltzmann Constant by an Optical Method", Physical Review Letters 98 250801 (2007)