Absolute zero is impossible to get to, but how close have scientists gotten?

Answer 1

In September 2003, MIT announced a record cold temperature of 450 pK, or 4.5 × 10-10 K in a Bose-Einstein condensate of sodium atoms. This was performed by Wolfgang Ketterle and colleagues at MIT.

ref.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absolute_zero

Answer 2

Absolute zero refers To a frozen atom. This is the point lets say an hydrogen atom has reached the frozen level; It means that the electron has reached in speed to about 70% of the speed of light. That would be the speed limit of an electron inside an atom.
Howeve in order to reach that velocity it must lose mass. So in a frozen atom the electron has been constricted to a minimum mass.If the electron was to move at the speed of light it would be anniliated. However there is a protection mechanism inherent to all atomic structure so that matter can never be cooled down to the absolute zero.
Scientists have been able to cool down very close to absolute zero but have found it impossible to reach it and still maintain the integrity of the Atom.

Answer 3

I have no idea where these answers come from perhaps the 1960's

press release from MIT 11 sept 2003
1/2 of a billionth degree above absolute zero

and it can be obtained ( someday )- at the state of no motion then atoms begin to 'pop' in and out of existance one of the foundations of current physics

and yes the other answer did give the TEMP but the question was HOW CLOSE ( we try to please )

Answer 4

really close, actually i can't remember for certain but I'm pretty sure they've gotten within tenths or hundreths of a degree K. At least I think thats what my chemistry teacher said.

Answer 5

3 kelvin

Answer 6

3 degrees kelvin