Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Absolute Zero


the temperature at which the particles that make up matter have no energy at all whether due to heat or motion. It is theoretically given the value of -273.15°Celsius (-459.67° Fahrenheit).

Taken from Dictionary of Science
_____________________________________________________________


Absolute zero is the temperature at which entropy reaches its minimum value. As implied by the laws of thermodynamics, absolute zero cannot be reached by artificial or natural means because this would require a system to be fully removed from the rest of the universe. A system at theoretical absolute zero possesses quantum mechanical zero-point energy. While all molecular motion does not cease at absolute zero, the system does not have enough energy for transference to other systems. It is therefore correct to say that molecular energy is minimal at absolute zero.


By international agreement, absolute zero is defined as precisely 0 K on the Kelvin scale and as −273.15° on the Celsius scale. Absolute zero is also precisely equivalent to 0 R on the Rankine scale (same as Kelvin but measured in Fahrenheit intervals) and −459.67° on the Fahrenheit scale. Though it is not theoretically possible to cool any substance to 0 K, scientists have made great advancements in achieving temperatures close to absolute zero, where matter exhibits quantum effects such as superconductivity and superfluidity.


For the kinematics of molecules at absolute zero on a larger scale, which is easier to understand, see kinetic energy.


Taken from Wikipedia

No comments:

Post a Comment