What happens to the movement of atoms at absolute zero temperature?

Answer 1

all molecular activity stops and the molecule expands to fill the universe

Answer 2

All molecular activity stops. The volume of matter becomes 0, and all matter incl. atoms and molecules vanish completely into nothingness.

According to relativity energy is a product of mass and speed of light (to the 2nd power). Absolute 0 is defined as temperature at which all movement of atoms and subatomic particles stop, therefore energy would become 0. According to: E = mc^2 the only condition for E becoming 0 is that m becomes 0 too. Since the result of a product is 0, when one of its factors is 0. Since c(to the 2nd) is a constant, mass has to become 0 in order to make energy 0. So all matter dissolves into nothingness when it gets as cold as absolute 0.

Therefore it's like Josh says a temperature that doesn't exist, just mathematical, but it never can be reached, and there is nothing as cold in the universe as absolute 0.

Answer 3

"Absolute zero'' is the lowest possible temperature, occurring when no heat energy remains in a substance. Absolute zero is the point at which molecules do not move (relative to the rest of the body) more than they are required to by a quantum mechanical effect called zero-point energy.

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

Answer 4

their relative velocities are 0,
they technically can still be moving though

this is my problem with the fact of absolute 0 not existing,
it is impossible to slow down all the atoms of a system to the same velocity, but 2 distinct atoms is very possible


oh yeah, i forgot to mention fermionic condensate,
if an atom is near absolute zero, i forgot all the conditions but it had something to do with electricity, the atoms pair up together in sets of 2; some people saw this happen in some university 2 years ago or so with potassium atoms

Answer 5

There is no such thing as Absolute Zero (Although there is Absolute Vodka, try that Absolute Zero). But since it has a number of -270 Kelvin, let's suppose it exists. All the known moleculer activity stops at -270 Celcius. -270 Kelvin is extremely below. -270 Celcius does exist though.

Answer 6

Theoretically, at absolute 0, each and every little thing, even vibrating atoms and debris, provide up shifting. besides the undeniable fact that, this might by no potential take place interior the universe as long as galaxies and stars exist to grant off radiation.

Answer 7

At absolute zero, the movement is stopped. It is so cold that they don't move. We can not get to absolute zero because some how, heat is always transfered. absoulute zero is 273 kelvins.

Answer 8

Truthfully, nobody knows because it has never been reached.
Theoretically... there would be no relative motion between molecules but the electrons in the electron cloud of the atoms would still be moving around

Answer 9

I believe the atom ceases to move @ absolute zero.

Answer 10

at absolute zero, which is zero degrees on the kelvin scale, all movement of atoms stops completely.

Answer 11

They stop moving, hence "absolute zero" (movement). I believe they've come really, really close to it at MIT, using magnets. Also, in response to Hope, it's 0 Kelvins.