Round 1: Tossup 7

Knot theory was partially inspired by Peter Tait’s expansions on this scientist’s vortex theory of the atom. This scientist’s wildly inaccurate prediction of the age of the earth was based on the time it took for a molten ball’s surface to cool. (15[1])This person is the second namesake of a throttling process that describes the temperature change of an expanding real gas that is (*) adiabatic. This person was knighted for his work (10[1])solving bandwidth issues on the transatlantic telegraph cable. (-5[1])The triple point of water is approximately 273 degrees on a temperature (10[1])scale named for this (10[1])person. For 10 points, a temperature unit named for what person sets zero degrees at absolute zero? ■END■ (10[1])

ANSWER: Sir William Thomson, 1st Baron Kelvin [accept either underlined name; accept Lord Kelvin;; prompt on Joule–Thomson effect or Joule–Kelvin effect; reject "J. J. Thomson" or "Joseph John Thomson"]
<Science - Physics, Vikram Narasimhan> | VAULT II Packet 01
= Average correct buzzpoint

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