The Boltzmann constant is a constant that converts the temperature of a gas (in kelvin) into the kinetic energy (in joules or electron volts) associated with the thermal motion of the particles comprising the gas. It equals the molar gas constant R divided by the Avogadro constant. It is symbolized by k and has the value 1.380658 × 10^-23 joules per kelvin (8.62 × 10^-5 electronvolts per kelvin). It is named after the Austrian physicist Ludwig Boltzmann who did important work in statistical mechanics.

 

See also Boltzmann equation.