What is absolute zero?
Q: What is absolute zero?
A: Absolute zero is the temperature at which the particles of matter (molecules and atoms) are at their lowest energy points.
Q: Does absolute zero mean that particles lose all energy and stop moving?
A: No, in quantum physics there is something called zero point energy, which means that even after all the energy from particles has been removed, the particles still have some energy due to Heisenberg's uncertainty principle.
Q: What is the record temperature achieved near absolute zero?
A: The record temperature was 100 pK (one hundred picokelvin, equal to 10−10 kelvin) above absolute zero.
Q: How do scientists cool objects to very low temperatures?
A: Scientists use lasers to slow atoms when cooling objects to very low temperatures.
Q: How are Celsius and Fahrenheit scales defined relative to absolute zero?
A: The Celsius and Fahrenheit scales are defined so that absolute zero is −273.15°C or −459.67°F.
Q: What does the Third Law of Thermodynamics say about absolute zero?
A: The Third Law of Thermodynamics says that nothing can ever have a temperature of absolute zero.
Q: How can an engine's efficiency be increased closer to 100%?
A: An engine's efficiency can be increased closer to 100% by making the inside temperature hotter and/or the outside temperature colder according to the Second Law of Thermodynamics.
