My professor mentions repeatedly about zero point energy and its soon coming applications. I know that partical-antiparticle creation and anihilation on the subatomic scale happens with some frequency in a vacuum. Is this the energy they are talking about? Any information I have gleaned offline through searches shows that we pretty much have little or no idea as how to obtain this energy anywhere in the near future. And aside from any sci-fi fanatics, not many people know anything at all about it, (even they dont have much of a clue) Is this correct? Where are we with this technology?
2006-06-13 06:22:07 · 3 answers · asked by Robert H 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
Not exactly. Since this enters the realm of quantum physics, the real answer is understandably fuzzy, and not everyone even agrees on what the term means. By one commonly accepted definition, zero point energy is the lowest energy value in a quantum system, the energy inherent in empty space itself. Particle pairs do indeed arise from empty vacuum as a result of this constant background of energy (not to be confused with the cosmic background radiation, which is actual energy left over from the Big Bang), but is only a controllable phenomenon by our current understanding of physics on a very small scale. Not too many people believe in a practical application of zero point energy for everyday use, since it involves using energy that can be mathematically proven to be quite small (and possibly even equal to zero), though the Internet is rife with "free energy" and perpetual motion scams that claim to utilize the energy "just floating out there in space, waiting for you to take it!" The effects of zero point energy in experimental situations (see the Casimir effect, among other things) arguably could be explained by other phenomena as well, only muddying the waters more. So it is indeed possible to utlize zero point energy (if it does indeed exist), but only on a nanoscale. One day, when your quantum computer fits onto a chip incorporated into your wristwatch, it may be powered in part by ZPE, but I wouldn't hold my breath -- it sure won't solve our dependance of fossil fuels any time soon.
2006-06-13 07:04:10 · answer #1 · answered by theyuks 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I believe that The Big Bang is zero point energy. So were not trying to discover it , rather trying to explain it. Back up to find the answer.
2006-06-13 06:56:01 · answer #2 · answered by J. C. 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We have still not harnessed it.
2006-06-13 06:29:08 · answer #3 · answered by ag_iitkgp 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋