If Absolute zero, ( -459.67 degrees Fahrenheit or minus 273.15 Celsius), is the hypothetical point at which a substance would have no motion and no heat. How can this be possible with the existing laws of thermodynamics?
2006-06-12 11:17:40 · 28 answers · asked by s0ulrider2k 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
The Laws of Thermodynamics does not preclude the possibility of reaching absolute ZERO, even though it is practically extremely difficult to reach.
However, it is physically IMPOSSIBLE to reach absolute ZERO for another reason: Quantum Jitters.
At the subatomic level, no particle will stay absolutely motionless. At very short time and spatial scales, there are huge fluctuations consisting of particle-antiparticle pairs with arbitrary amounts of energy. Even space and time itself are fluctuating. This means you can NEVER achieve absolute zero.
This quantum jitter is due to Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle, but even beyond that there is what is called "vaccum energy", meaning that even in empty space devoid of any matter or energy, there is still a minimal level of energy contained in space itself.
2006-06-12 15:07:45 · answer #1 · answered by PhysicsDude 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Is Absolute Zero Possible
2016-10-28 11:14:05 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is physically not possible. If a particle were frozen completely, this would violate the Heisenberg uncertainty principle. Particles of matter do not follow the same laws as the big stuff we normally deal with. Particles are only "likely to be" here or there, and "likely to be" moving at this or that velocity. Even if you presumably cooled something to absolute zero, it's only a probability.
The more accurately you measure momentum of a particle, the less accurately you can measure its location in space. So if you "know" that it is at absolute zero (zero movement), then it could be located anywhere, maybe in another galaxy.
Also, movement is relative. If a particle were at absolute zero compared to some other particle next to it (or likely to be next to it), it would still be moving in relation to something. The rest of the universe is still in motion..
You are right in questioning how it would be possible. It's not. There might be instances of time when a couple of particles are 100% stationary relative to each other, but they wouldn't stay that way for long, there would be no practical purpose, and they could never be measured because simply measuring them would jolt the particles out of sync again.
2006-06-12 12:14:38 · answer #3 · answered by natlang 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not possible. Absolute zero is only an approximation or limit being placed at how cold we can actually get something to be and at where matter's vibrations appear to stop, even though they don't. Absolute Zero itself isn't even absolute, it has been slowly becoming a smaller and smaller number since its inception. Basically it is 'x' over infinite as 'x' approaches 0, since zero cannot be reached absolute zero is just the value calculable closest to 0.
2006-06-12 11:30:29 · answer #4 · answered by Centurion Omega I 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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RE:
How is Absolute zero possible?
If Absolute zero, ( -459.67 degrees Fahrenheit or minus 273.15 Celsius), is the hypothetical point at which a substance would have no motion and no heat. How can this be possible with the existing laws of thermodynamics?
2015-08-11 06:11:21 · answer #5 · answered by Chi 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As far as I understand, it is not possible in our known universe. I once read that there was a region of space, about seven light years wide, that was ... empty. We notice that its temperature is below the average temperature of the intergalactic space. Only by a fraction of degree Kelvin but still not exactly absolute zero. A place with absolute zero would mean a place where there isn't a single atom or particle. We haven't observed it yet, as far as I know.
2016-03-15 07:51:56 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
absolute zero is NOT possible because then all matter ceases to move. we only know this because of experimental tests.
FYI: the temperature of the universe (measured in deep space where there is one atom per cubic kilometer) is around -270 Celsius and dropping (with the start point of the Big Bang). It is believed that if our universe is an open universe, the energy will continue to expand the universe until temps reach absolute zero, which is when the universe just dies out into a frozen, unmoving place.
2006-06-12 12:14:08 · answer #7 · answered by Tarvold 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I never thought of it but nope..it mightn't be possible to reach absolute zero
2015-04-21 22:22:26 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolute zero can only occur theoretically, based on our current limitations. Only when a system can create no more entropy could this even be possible. Witnessing a specimen is not yet possible, as the ability to view it would increase the temperature
2006-06-13 11:59:34 · answer #9 · answered by C.W. 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no many the masses did say it might not be a possibility to reach absolute zero
2015-03-20 03:30:30 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋