Absolute Zero

Key Questions

  • Answer:

    It is the point at which particle motion stops for monatomic ideal gases. However, molecules will still vibrate.

    Explanation:

    All temperatures above absolute zero will cause particles in any material to move/vibrate slightly, as temperature gives particles Kinetic energy, according to the equipartition theorem for monatomic ideal gases:

    K_(avg)=3/2k_BTKavg=32kBT

    k_BkB = Boltzmann's constant = 1.38065 times 10^-23 J//K1.38065×1023J/K
    TT = absolute temperature (Kelvin)

    At absolute zero, T = "0 K"T=0 K, so there is effectively no average kinetic energy of the molecules. (although the state of absolute zero is more of a concept as it has not yet been achieved). This means that particle motion ceases in monatomic gases.

    Absolute zero is also the foundation for the Kelvin scale, as "0 K" = -273.15^@ "C"0 K=273.15C is the coldest that you can ever hope to get.

  • Absolute zero is the temperature at which enthalpy and entropy of ideal gas reaches zero.

    In Kelvin scale this temperature is taken as 00 Kelvin.

    ![https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absolute_zero](useruploads.socratic.org)

Questions