Difference between revisions of "Absolute zero"
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| − | Absolute zero is the practical minimum of [[Temperature|temperature]], defined as 0 [[Kelvin]] on the [[absolute temperature scale]]s (the zero on the Kelvin scale has had to adjust, slightly, as measurements of absolute zero are refined). This corresponds to -273.15 degrees [[Celsius]] and -459.67 degrees [[Fahrenheit]]. At absolute zero, all thermal motion (i.e. the movement of [[Molecule|molecules]] in a [[States of matter#gaseous|gas]], [[Atom|atoms]] in a [[Crystal|crystal]]) would cease. | + | '''Absolute zero''' is the practical minimum of [[Temperature|temperature]], defined as 0 [[Kelvin]] on the [[absolute temperature scale]]s (the zero on the Kelvin scale has had to adjust, slightly, as measurements of absolute zero are refined). This corresponds to -273.15 degrees [[Celsius]] and -459.67 degrees [[Fahrenheit]]. At absolute zero, all thermal motion (i.e. the movement of [[Molecule|molecules]] in a [[States of matter#gaseous|gas]], [[Atom|atoms]] in a [[Crystal|crystal]]) would cease. |
No place in our universe can reach absolute zero, but there are places that get close. [[Space]] is approximately 2.73 Kelvin. This is not because heat from [[star|stars]] in the universe keep the temperature up, but because of [[Black-Body Radiation]], which occupies the [[vacuum]] of space. This [[radiation]] keeps the universe at this temperature. The [[Cosmic Background Explorer]], (CBE), measured this value. The [[Big Bang]] theory predicted a leftover background radiation and that such radiation would have a relative uniformity, which is reinforced by the evidence presented by the CBE's observations. | No place in our universe can reach absolute zero, but there are places that get close. [[Space]] is approximately 2.73 Kelvin. This is not because heat from [[star|stars]] in the universe keep the temperature up, but because of [[Black-Body Radiation]], which occupies the [[vacuum]] of space. This [[radiation]] keeps the universe at this temperature. The [[Cosmic Background Explorer]], (CBE), measured this value. The [[Big Bang]] theory predicted a leftover background radiation and that such radiation would have a relative uniformity, which is reinforced by the evidence presented by the CBE's observations. | ||
Revision as of 23:58, April 17, 2007
Absolute zero is the practical minimum of temperature, defined as 0 Kelvin on the absolute temperature scales (the zero on the Kelvin scale has had to adjust, slightly, as measurements of absolute zero are refined). This corresponds to -273.15 degrees Celsius and -459.67 degrees Fahrenheit. At absolute zero, all thermal motion (i.e. the movement of molecules in a gas, atoms in a crystal) would cease.
No place in our universe can reach absolute zero, but there are places that get close. Space is approximately 2.73 Kelvin. This is not because heat from stars in the universe keep the temperature up, but because of Black-Body Radiation, which occupies the vacuum of space. This radiation keeps the universe at this temperature. The Cosmic Background Explorer, (CBE), measured this value. The Big Bang theory predicted a leftover background radiation and that such radiation would have a relative uniformity, which is reinforced by the evidence presented by the CBE's observations.
Reaching Towards Absolute Zero
It is considered theoretically impossible to achieve absolute Zero, but scientists have come quite close. The first example of this occured in 1908 when Kammerlingh Onnes liquefied Helium. The temperature he reached was approximately four Kelvin. Lower temperatures have been reached with different isotopes of Helium. A temperature of 0.3 Kelvin has been reached with 3He. The lowest temperature ever reached by any substance was 280 picoKelvin.