What is Zero Point Energy? Physicists please...no scifi...?

Answer 1

In physics, the zero-point energy is the lowest possible energy that a quantum mechanical physical system may possess; it is the energy of the ground state of the system. All quantum mechanical systems have a zero point energy. The term arises commonly in reference to the ground state of the quantum harmonic oscillator. In quantum field theory, it is a synonym for the vacuum energy, an amount of energy associated with the vacuum of empty space. In cosmology, the vacuum energy is taken to be the origin of the cosmological constant. Experimentally, the zero-point energy of the vacuum leads directly to the Casimir effect, and is directly observable in nanoscale devices.

Because zero point energy is the lowest possible energy a system can have, this energy cannot be removed from the system.

Despite the definition, the concept of zero-point energy, and the hint of a possibility of extracting "free energy" from the vacuum, has attracted the attention of amateur inventors. Numerous perpetual motion and other pseudoscientific devices, often called free energy devices, exploiting the idea, have been proposed. As a result of this activity, and its intriguing theoretical explanation, it has taken on a life of its own in popular culture, appearing in science fiction books, games and movies.

Answer 2

In classical physics, if you cool a particle to 0 Kelvin then it has no energy and it does not move.

In quantum mechanics this is not the case. Even at absolute zero, there is a fundamental fuzziness that arises from the uncertainty principle - a system cannot have a precisely defined energy at a precisely defined time. However, this fuzziness is staggeringly tiny - around 10^-34 Js - so it is only noticed for fundamental particles really.

An example of zero point motion in action is liquid helium - it stays liquid even as you take it down to 0 K because of zero point motion.

For a very good article see link below.

Answer 3

Let me see if I can put this in laymens terms, my boyfriend gives me scientific language answers so I understand... but zero point energy at best has never been. Basically when you change the properties of something like nitrogen, you can add heat or cold and then it changes properties, then you add either heat or cold and it changes properties again. When you reach zero point energy there are no properties left... I could be wrong on this some so if someone corrects, that would help me too.

Okay my boyfriend just told me that I explained thermodynamics so if you want to know thermodynamics there is your answer HA!

Answer 4

I think you mean the motion or energy at a temperature of absolute zero, where helium becomes super fluid. Matter always has electronic motion and the nucleus also retains whatever internal motion it has.

Answer 5

at -273 degree Centigrade gas atoms are condensed each other and make a SUPER ATOM at that time a minimum energy also stay under this atom.this energy is called zero point energy.

Answer 6

At absolute zero, a hypothetical temperature, all molecular movement stops. All actual temperatures are above absolute zero. Absolute zero would occur at -273.16°C, -459.69°F, or 0 K.

Answer 7

"Zero point energy" is the modern term for "Aether"

All matter, energy, and apparent force is composed of zero-point energy (aether) waves, either standing or moving.

Einstein even said this himself!

Fortunately, scientists are finally admitting what they knew all along...zero point energy = aether is real. Its kind of hard to hide the obvious forever.

There is no fuzziness...its obvious.

http://www.glafreniere.com/matter.htm
http://www.16pi2.com/Einstein_Aether.htm
http://www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/C/Casimir.html
http://www.newtonphysics.on.ca/EINSTEIN/index.html
http://www.blazelabs.com/f-p-flaw.asp

Answer 8

Absolute zero - liguified hydrogen is abou the closest we can come so far.

Answer 9

bye bye good bye

Answer 10

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zero-point_energy
http://www.sciam.com/print_version.cfm?articleID=00045486-6600-1C71-9EB7809EC588F2D7