If it were possible for an object to reach absolute zero, would it continue to exist?

Question

If it were possible for an object to reach absolute zero, would it continue to exist?

ok, so we're all familiar with the theoretical temperature of absolute zero.

at −459.67°F there is a complete absence of movement among particles.

taking this concept into the quantum world becomes a very interesting thing to ponder. if there is no kinetic energy at the sub atomic level wouldn't the science of quantum probability fall apart? if there was zero probability wouldn't that actually erase matter?

i don't know, think about it

rob, while temperatures within a few billionths of a degree above absolute zero have been achieved in the laboratory, true absolute zero is an impossibility.

Answer 1

Scientists reach almost absolute zero in the lab all the time. The matter in that state does exist but the atoms and molecules of the matter have no movement or heat. They in theory give off no energy or absorb any energy. A state of 0 kinetic energy does not conflict with quantum theory, it is just the state of zero heat and oscillation or movement.

I understand that absolute zero is a theory and scientists have only reach a tiny fraction near it, but that is close enough to see the quantum state in status and matter still exist. I have corrected my answer to reflect that.

As to your main question will it still exist if we could reach absolute zero state.

Matter and energy cannot be destroyed. We can spend energy or burn matter to create energy, etc., but they still exist in a different form or state.

At absolute zero there is no transfer of energy.
Since it would require a transfer of matter to energy to make said matter disappear one can safely conclude that matter at absolute zero has to remain in the matter state at absolute zero.

Answer 2

Just because an object doesn't move(no energy), it doesn't mean the the object dissapears. And even if an object were to reach absolute zero, that does not have to conflict with quantum mechanics, as proven by the fact that gravity still effects it. But remember that, energy = mc2, any visible matter is concentrated energy, thus it cannot dissapear.

Answer 3

No. At absolute zero, matter is in its ground state. The ground state still has positive potential and kinetic energy; it's just the lowest it can be. The ground state of a harmonic oscillator of frequency omega, for example, has energy h_bar*omega/2.

Answer 4

as far as i know matters enters a form of superstate and would behave different, like being superfluid or so.
If it would cease to exist it wouldn't be there anymore after warming it up again.

i think someone earned the nobel-prize for making it possible to actually reach such a low temperature.
So matter didn't stop existing

Answer 5

I am not a student of conjecture, and the closest thing I have to the massive chiller you talk about is a refrigerator and a freezer. Those devices do not go much below 32 Degrees F. So I am afraid I cannot be of much help to you.

Answer 6

This sounds like a superconductor question.

You can experiment for yourself. Take some dry ice and put acetone on it and the temp will drop to near zero... I did a lot of experiments with this when I was in High School... have fun... let me know what you discover.

Answer 7

Yes it would still exist but it would be unaffected by time. With the absence of movement there can be no time. Matter can exist in absolute zero but it would be undetectable, the universe would be dead.

Answer 8

Bose - Einstein condensates are man made objects that come pretty close to absolute zero, though they don't last but a few milliseconds.

Answer 9

Of course it would. It won't turn into banana fruitcake, at any rate. It would just have an absence of all molecular vibrations (heat).