Table 1 — Quantities and units used in thermodynamics

Item Quantity Unit Remarks

No.
Name Symb Definition
ol
5-1 thermodynamic T, Θ partial derivative of internal energy with respect to K It is measured with a primary thermometer, examples of which
temperature entropy at constant volume and constant number of are gas thermometers of different kinds, noise thermometers, or
particles in the system: radiation thermometers.
The Boltzmann constant (ISO 80000-1) relates energy at the
individual particle level with thermodynamic temperature.
Differences of thermodynamic temperatures or changes may be
where U is internal energy (item 5-20.2), S is entropy expressed either in kelvin, symbol K, or in de grees Celsius,
(item 5-18), V is volume (ISO 80000-3), and N is symbol °C (item 5-2).
number of particles Thermodynamic temperature is one of the seven base quantities
in the International System of Quantities, ISQ (see ISO 80000-1).
          The International Temperature Scale of 1990
For the purpose of practical measurements, the International
Temperature Scale of 1990, ITS-90, was adopted by CIPM in
1989, which is a close approximation to the thermodynamic
temperature scale.
The quantities defined by this scale are denoted T90 and t90,
respectively (replacing T68 and t68 defined by the International
Practical Temperature Scale of 1968, IPTS-68), where

5-1         The units of T90 and t90 are the kelvin, symbol K, and the degree
(cont. Celsius, symbol °C (item 5-2), respectively.
) For further information, see References[5],[6].
For ready conversion between temperatures reported on the
International Temperature Scale and thermodynamic
temperatures the systematic deviations can be found in
Reference[7].
5-2 Celsius temperature difference from the thermodynamic °C The unit degree Celsius is a special name for the kelvin for use in
temperature temperature of the ice point is called the Celsius stating values of Celsius temperature. The unit degree Celsius is
temperature t, which is defined by the quantity by definition equal in magnitude to the kelvin. A difference or
Item Quantity Unit Remarks
No.
Name Symb Definition
ol
equation: interval of temperature may be expressed in kelvin or in degrees
Celsius.
The thermodynamic temperature T0 is 0,01 K below the
where T is thermodynamic temperature (item 5-1)
thermodynamic temperature of the triple point of water.
and The symbol °C for the degree Celsius shall be preceded by a
space (see ISO 80000-1).
Prefixes are not allowed in combination with the unit °C.
5-3.1 linear expansion relative change of length with temperature: K−1 The subscripts in the symbols may be omitted when there is no
coefficient risk of confusion.

where l is length (ISO 80000-3) and T is

thermodynamic temperature (item 5-1)
5-3.2 cubic expansion relative change of volume with temperature: K−1 Also called volumetric expansion coefficient.
coefficient The subscripts in the symbols may be omitted when there is no
risk of confusion.
where V is volume (ISO 80000-3) and T is
thermodynamic temperature (item 5-1)
5-3.3 relative pressure relative change of pressure with temperature at K−1 The subscripts in the symbols may be omitted when there is no
coefficient constant volume: risk of confusion.

where p is pressure (ISO 80000-4), T is

thermodynamic temperature (item 5-1), and V is
volume (ISO 80000-3)
5-4 pressure change of pressure with temperature at constant Pa/K  
coefficient volume: kg m−1 s−2 
K−1

where p is pressure (ISO 80000-4), T is

Item Quantity Unit Remarks
No.
Name Symb Definition
ol
thermodynamic temperature (item 5-1), and V is
volume (ISO 80000-3)
5-5.1 isothermal ϰT negative relative change of volume with pressure at Pa−1 The subscripts in the symbols may be omitted when there is no
−1 2
compressibility constant temperature: kg  m s risk of confusion.

ϰT
where V is volume (ISO 80000-3), p is pressure
(ISO 80000-4), and T is thermodynamic temperature
(item 5-1)
5-5.2 isentropic ϰS negative relative change of volume with pressure at Pa−1 The subscripts in the symbols may be omitted when there is no
compressibility constant entropy: kg−1 m s2 risk of confusion.

ϰS
where V is volume (ISO 80000-3), p is pressure
(ISO 80000-4), and S is entropy (item 5-18)
5-6.1 heat, Q difference between the increase in the internal energy J The heat transferred in an isothermal phase transformation should
amount of heat (item 5-20.2) of a system and the work (ISO 80000- kg m2 s−2 be expressed as the change in the appropriate state functions, e.g.
4) done on the system, provided that the amounts of T ΔS, where T is thermodynamic temperature (item 5-1) and S is
substances within the system are not changed entropy (item 5-18), or ΔH, where H is enthalpy (item 5-20.3).
NOTE   A supply of heat can correspond to an increase in
thermodynamic temperature or to other effects, such as phase
change or chemical processes; see item 5-6.2.
5-6.2 latent heat Q energy released or absorbed by a system during a J Examples of latent heat are latent heat of fusion (melting) and
constant-temperature process kg m2 s−2latent heat of vaporization (boiling).
5-7 heat flow rate time rate at which heat (item 5-6.1) crosses a given W  
surface J/s
kg m2 s−3
5-8 density of heat q, φ quotient of heat flow rate and area: W/m2  
flow rate kg s−3
Item Quantity Unit Remarks
No.
Name Symb Definition
ol

where is heat flow rate (item 5-7) and A is area

(ISO 80000-3) of a given surface
5-9 thermal (ϰ quotient of density of heat flow rate (item 5-8) and W/(m K)  
conductivity ) thermodynamic temperature gradient that has the kg m s−3 K
−1
same direction as the heat flow
5- coefficient of heat K, (k) quotient of density of heat flow rate (item 5-8) and W/(m2 K) In building technology, the coefficient of heat transfer is often
10.1 transfer thermodynamic temperature (item 5-1) difference kg s−3 K−1 called thermal transmittance, with the symbol U (no longer
recommended). See remark to item 5-13.
2
5- surface coefficient h, quotient of density of heat flow rate and the W/(m  K)  
10.2 of difference of the temperature at the surface and a kg s−3 K−1
heat transfer reference temperature:

where q is density of heat flow rate (item 5-8), Ts is

the thermodynamic temperature (item 5-1) at the
surface, and Tr is a reference thermodynamic
temperature characterizing the adjacent surroundings
5-11 thermal insulance, M inverse of coefficient of heat transfer K: m2 K/W In building technology, this quantity is often called thermal
coefficient of kg−1 s3 K resistance, with the symbol R.
thermal
insulance
where K is coefficient of heat transfer (item 5-10.1)
5-12 thermal resistance R quotient of thermodynamic temperature (item 5-1) K/W See remark to item 5-11.
difference and heat flow rate (item 5-7) kg  m−2 s3 
−1

K
5-13 thermal G, inverse of thermal resistance R: W/K See remark to item 5-11. This quantity is also called heat transfer
conductance (H) kg m2 s−3  coefficient. See item 5-10.1.
K−1
Item Quantity Unit Remarks
No.
Name Symb Definition
ol

where R is thermal resistance (item 5-12)

5-14 thermal a quotient of thermal conductivity and the product of m2 s−1  
diffusivity mass density and specific heat capacity:

where is thermal conductivity (item 5-9), is

mass density (ISO 80000-4), and cp is specific heat
capacity at constant pressure (item 5-16.2)
5-15 heat capacity C derivative of added heat with respect to J/K Heat capacity is not completely defined unless specified as seen
thermodynamic temperature of a system: kg m2 s−2  in items 5-16.2, 5-16.3 and 5-16.4.
K−1

where Q is amount of heat (item 5-6.1) and T is

thermodynamic temperature (item 5-1)
5- specific heat c quotient of heat capacity and mass: J/(kg K) For the corresponding quantities related to the amount of
16.1 capacity m2 s−2 K−1 substance, see ISO 80000-9.

where C is heat capacity (item 5-15) and m is mass

(ISO 80000-4)
5- specific heat cp specific heat capacity (item 5-16.1) at constant J/(kg K) Also called specific isobaric heat capacity.
16.2 capacity pressure (ISO 80000-4) m2 s−2 K−1
at constant
pressure
5- specific heat cV specific heat capacity (item 5-16.1) at constant J/(kg K) Also called specific isochoric heat capacity.
16.3 capacity volume (ISO 80000-3) m2 s−2 K−1
at constant
volume
Item Quantity Unit Remarks
No.
Name Symb Definition
ol
5- specific heat csat specific heat capacity (item 5-16.1) at saturated J/(kg K)  
16.4 capacity vapour pressure (ISO 80000-4) m2 s−2 K−1
at saturated
vapour
pressure
5- ratio of specific quotient of specific heat capacity at constant pressure 1 This quantity can also be expressed by
17.1 heat and specific heat capacity at constant volume:
capacities

where Cp is heat capacity at constant pressure and CV is heat

where cp is specific heat capacity at constant pressure capacity at constant volume.
(item 5-16.2) and cV is specific heat capacity at
constant volume (item 5-16.3)
5- isentropic ϰ the negative of relative pressure change, divided by 1 For an ideal gas, ϰ is equal to (item 5-17.1).
17.2 exponent, relative volume change, at constant entropy:
isentropic
expansion
factor ϰ
where V is volume (ISO 80000-3), p is pressure
(ISO 80000-4), and S is entropy (item 5-18)
5-18 entropy S natural logarithm of number of equally probable J/K  
2 −2
microscopic configurations in a macroscopic system, kg m  s  
multiplied by the Boltzmann constant: K−1
S = k lnW
where W is number of configurations and k is the
Boltzmann constant (ISO 80000-1)
5-19 specific entropy s quotient of entropy and mass: J/(kg K) For the corresponding quantity related to amount of substance,
m2 s−2 K−1 see ISO 80000-9.

where S is entropy (item 5-18) and m is mass

(ISO 80000-4)
Item Quantity Unit Remarks
No.
Name Symb Definition
ol
5- energy E ability of a system to do work (ISO 80000-4) J Energy exists in different forms that are mutually transformable
20.1 <thermodynamics kg m2 s−2 into each other, either totally or partially. In contrast to internal
> energy (item 5-20.2), energy is not a state function.
5- internal energy, U energy of a system whose change is given by the J In thermodynamic text books, usually the formula
20.2 thermodynamic amount of the heat (item 5-6.1) transferred to the kg m2 s−2 ΔU = Q + W is used. Note that the zero of the energy is
energy system and the work (ISO 80000-4) done on the undefined.
system, provided that the system is closed and no
chemical reactions occur
5- enthalpy H sum of internal energy of the system and the product J  
20.3 of pressure and volume of the system: kg m2 s−2

where U is internal energy (item 5-20.2), p is

pressure (ISO 80000-4), and V is volume
(ISO 80000-3)
5- Helmholtz A, F difference of internal energy of the system and the J The name Helmholtz free energy is also used.
2 −2
20.4 energy, product of thermodynamic temperature and entropy kg m  s However, this term is not recommended.
Helmholtz of the system:
function A = U − TS
where U is internal energy (item 5-20.2), T is
thermodynamic temperature (item 5-1), and S is
entropy (item 5-18)
5- Gibbs energy, G difference of the enthalpy and the product of J The name Gibbs free energy is also used. However, this term is
20.5 Gibbs function thermodynamic temperature and entropy of the kg m2 s−2 not recommended.
system:

where H is enthalpy (item 5-20.3), T is

thermodynamic temperature (item 5-1), and S is
entropy (item 5-18)
5- specific energy e quotient of energy and mass: J/kg  
21.1 m2 s−2
Item Quantity Unit Remarks
No.
Name Symb Definition
ol
where E is energy (item 5-20.1) and m is mass
(ISO 80000-4)
5- specific internal u quotient of internal energy and mass: J/kg  
21.2 energy, m2 s−2
specific
thermodynamic
energy where U is internal energy (item 5-20.2) and m is
mass (ISO 80000-4)
5- specific enthalpy h quotient of enthalpy and mass: J/kg  
21.3 m2 s−2

where H is enthalpy (item 5-20.3) and m is mass

(ISO 80000-4)
5- specific a, f quotient of Helmholtz energy and mass: J/kg The name specific Helmholtz free energy is also used. However,
21.4 Helmholtz m2 s−2 this term is not recommended.
energy,
specific
Helmholtz where A is Helmholtz energy (item 5-20.4) and m is
function mass (ISO 80000-4)
5- specific Gibbs g quotient of Gibbs energy and mass: J/kg The name specific Gibbs free energy is also used. However, this
21.5 energy, m2 s−2 term is not recommended.
specific Gibbs
function
where G is Gibbs energy (item 5-20.5) and m is mass
(ISO 80000-4)
5-22 Massieu function J quotient of the negative of Helmholtz energy and J/K  
2 −2
temperature: kg m  s  
K−1

where A is Helmholtz energy (item 5-20.4) and T is

thermodynamic temperature (item 5-1)
Item Quantity Unit Remarks
No.
Name Symb Definition
ol
5-23 Planck function Y quotient of the negative of Gibbs energy and J/K  
temperature: kg m2 s−2 
K−1

where G is Gibbs energy (item 5-20.5) and T is

thermodynamic temperature (item 5-1)
5-24 Joule-Thomson change of thermodynamic temperature with respect K/Pa  
coefficient to pressure in a Joule-Thomson process at constant kg−1 m s2 
enthalpy: K

where T is thermodynamic temperature (item 5-1), p

is pressure (ISO 80000-4) and H is enthalpy (item 5-
20.3)
5- efficiency η quotient of work (ISO 80000-4) delivered by a heat 1  
25.1 <thermodynamics engine and supplied heat:
>

where W is work (ISO 80000-4) and Q is heat (item

5-6.1)
5- maximum ηmax efficiency determined by the quotient of the 1 An ideal heat engine operating according to the Carnot process is
25.2 efficiency temperatures of the hot source and the cold sink: delivering the maximum efficiency.

where Tc is the thermodynamic temperature (item 5-

1) of the cold sink and Th is the thermodynamic
temperature (item 5-1) of the hot source
5-26 specific gas Rs quotient of the Boltzmann constant k (ISO 80000-1) J/(kg K)  
constant and the mass m (ISO 80000-4) of the gas particle m2 s−2 K−1
Item Quantity Unit Remarks
No.
Name Symb Definition
ol
5-27 mass w quotient of mass of water and a specified volume: kg m−3 Mass concentration of water at saturation is denoted wsat.
concentration
of water
where m is mass (ISO 80000-4) of water, irrespective
of the form of aggregation state, and V is volume
(ISO 80000-3)
5-28 mass v quotient of mass of water vapour and a specified kg m−3 Mass concentration of water vapour at saturation is denoted vsat.
concentration volume:
of water vapour
absolute humidity
where m is mass (ISO 80000-4) of water vapour and
V is volume (ISO 80000-3)
5-29 mass ratio of u quotient of mass of water and mass of dry matter: 1 Mass ratio of water to dry matter at saturation is denoted usat.
water
to dry matter

where m is mass (ISO 80000-4) of water and md is

mass of dry matter
5-30 mass ratio of r, (x) quotient of mass of water vapour and mass of dry 1 Mass ratio of water vapour to dry gas at saturation is denoted rsat.
water gas: Mass ratio of water vapour to dry gas is also called mixing ratio.
vapour to dry gas

where m is mass (ISO 80000-4) of water vapour and

md is mass of dry gas
5-31 mass fraction of quantity given by: 1  
water

where u is mass ratio of water to dry matter (item 5-

29)
Item Quantity Unit Remarks
No.
Name Symb Definition
ol
5-32 mass fraction of wd quantity given by: 1  
dry matter

where is mass fraction of water (item 5-31)

5-33 relative humidity φ quotient of partial pressure of water vapour and 1 Relative humidity is often referred to as RH and expressed in
partial pressure at its saturation: percent. See also remark in item 5-35.

where p is partial pressure (ISO 80000-4) of vapour

and psat is its partial pressure at saturation at the same
temperature
5-34 relative mass φ quotient of mass concentration of water vapour and 1 For water vapour concentrations up to
concentration of mass concentration at its saturation: 1 kg/m3, the relative humidity (item 5-33) is assumed to be equal
vapour to relative mass concentration of vapour. For details see
Reference [8].

where v is mass concentration of water vapour (item

5-28) and vsat is its mass concentration of water
vapour at saturation of the same temperature
5-35 relative mass ratio quotient of mass ratio of water vapour to dry gas and 1 This quantity is also used as an approximation of relative
of vapour mass ratio of water vapour to dry gas at saturation: humidity (item 5-33).

where r is mass ratio of water vapour to dry gas (item

5-30) and rsat is its mass ratio of water vapour to dry
gas at saturation of the same temperature
5-36 dew-point Td temperature at which water vapour in the air reaches
temperature saturation under isobaric conditions
K The corresponding Celsius temperature, denoted td, is still called
dew-point temperature.
The unit for the corresponding Celsius temperature is degree
Item Quantity Unit Remarks
No.
Name Symb Definition
ol
Celsius, symbol °C.

Bibliography
[1] ISO 80000-1, Quantities and units — Part 1: General
[2] ISO 80000-3, Quantities and units — Part 3: Space and time
[3] ISO 80000-4, Quantities and units — Part 4: Mechanics
[4] ISO 80000-9, Quantities and units — Part 9: Physical chemistry and molecular physics
[5] The International Temperature Scale of, 1990 (ITS-90), Metrologia 27 (1990) 3-10
[6] Mise en pratique of the definition of the Kelvin (www.bipm.org/en/publications/mep_kelvin/)
[7] Estimates of the differences between thermodynamic temperature and the ITS-90 (www.bipm.org/utils/en/pdf/Estimates_Differences_T-T90_2010.pdf)
[8] Lovell-Smith J.W. et al., Metrologia 53 (2016) R40-R59

Alphabetical index
The exact names of quantities are given in bold face. Other entries in the index are included to facilitate the search for a quantity.
Name Item
absolute humidity 5-28
amount of heat 5-6.1
Celsius temperature 5-2
coefficient of heat transfer 5-10.1
coefficient of thermal insulance 5-11
compressibility, isentropic 5-5.2
compressibility, isothermal 5-5.1
conductance, thermal 5-13
cubic expansion coefficient 5-3.2
density of heat flow rate 5-8
dew-point temperature 5-36
diffusivity, thermal 5-14
dry matter, mass fraction of 5-32
efficiency <thermodynamics> 5-25.1
energy <thermodynamics> 5-20.1
energy, Gibbs 5-20.5
energy, Helmholtz 5-20.4
energy, internal 5-20.2
energy, specific 5-21.1
energy, specific internal 5-21.2
energy, specific thermodynamic 5-21.2
energy, thermodynamic 5-20.2
enthalpy 5-20.3
enthalpy, specific 5-21.3
Entropy 5-18
entropy, specific 5-19
expansion coefficient, cubic 5-3.2
expansion coefficient, linear 5-3.1
flow rate, heat 5-7
gas constant, specific 5-26
Gibbs energy 5-20.5
Gibbs energy, specific 5-21.5
Gibbs function 5-20.5
Gibbs function, specific 5-21.5
heat capacity 5-15
heat capacity, specific 5-16.1
heat flow rate 5-7
heat flow rate, density of 5-8
heat transfer, coefficient of 5-10.1
heat transfer, surface coefficient of 5-10.2
heat 5-6.1
heat, latent 5-6.2
Helmholtz energy 5-20.4
Helmholtz energy, specific 5-21.4
Helmholtz function 5-20.4
Helmholtz function, specific 5-21.4
humidity, absolute 5-28
internal energy 5-20.2
isentropic compressibility 5-5.2
isentropic exponent 5-17.2
isobaric heat capacity, specific 5-16.2
isochoric heat capacity, specific 5-16.3
isothermal compressibility 5-5.1
Joule-Thomson coefficient 5-24
latent heat 5-6.2
linear expansion coefficient 5-3.1
mass concentration of water vapour 5-28
mass concentration of water 5-27
mass fraction of dry matter 5-32
mass fraction of water 5-31
mass ratio of water to dry matter 5-29
mass ratio of water vapour to dry gas 5-30
Massieu function 5-22
maximum efficiency 5-25.2
Planck function 5-23
pressure coefficient 5-4
pressure coefficient, relative 5-3.3
ratio of the specific heat capacities 5-17.1
relative mass concentration of vapour 5-34
relative mass ratio of vapour 5-35
relative pressure coefficient 5-3.3
resistance, thermal 5-12
specific energy 5-21.1
specific enthalpy 5-21.3
specific entropy 5-19
specific gas constant 5-26
specific Gibbs energy 5-21.5
specific Gibbs function 5-21.5
specific heat capacities, ratio of 5-17.1
specific heat capacity at constant pressure 5-16.2
specific heat capacity at constant volume 5-16.3
specific heat capacity at saturated vapour pressure 5-16.4
specific heat capacity 5-16.1
specific Helmholtz energy 5-21.4
specific Helmholtz function 5-21.4
specific internal energy 5-21.2
specific isobaric heat capacity 5-16.2
specific isochoric heat capacity 5-16.3
specific thermodynamic energy 5-21.2
surface coefficient of heat transfer 5-10.2
temperature, Celsius 5-2
temperature, dew point 5-36
temperature, thermodynamic 5-1
thermal conductance 5-13
thermal conductivity 5-9
thermal diffusivity 5-14
thermal insulance 5-11
thermal resistance 5-12
thermodynamic energy 5-20.2
thermodynamic temperature 5-1
vapour pressure, specific heat capacity at saturated 5-16.4
vapour, relative mass concentration of 5-34
vapour, relative mass ratio of 5-35
water vapour, mass concentration of 5-28
water vapour, mass ratio of, to dry gas 5-30
water, mass fraction of 5-31
water, mass ratio of, to dry matter 5-29
© 2019 ISO — All rights reserved