Send to a Friend

krrazypassions's avatar

Is absolute zero really the lowest possible temperature everywhere in the universe?

Asked by krrazypassions (1355points) May 16th, 2011

Isn’t it strange for commoners to think that we can have infinite temperatures on the positive side(make something hotter and hotter), while we are limited on the negative side(make something colder and colder) to only about -273.15°C! We cannot make anything cooler than that! There cannot be -274°C!

Absolute Zero: By international agreement, it is defined as 0 K on the Kelvin scale and as −273.15°C on the Celsius scale. This equates to −459.67°F on the Fahrenheit scale. Scientists have achieved temperatures very close to absolute zero, where matter exhibits quantum effects such as superconductivity and superfluidity.

I know why we can reach very close to but not exactly the absolute zero- The laws of thermodynamics state that absolute zero cannot be reached using only thermodynamic means.
Also, a system at absolute zero still possesses quantum mechanical zero-point energy, the energy of its ground state. The kinetic energy of the ground state cannot be removed. However, in the classical interpretation it is zero and the thermal energy of matter vanishes.

I’m wondering if you know whether any laws/theories predict or allow temperatures lesser than absolute zero? (mainly the recent ones like Super string theory, M-theory or even the more established quantum theory)

Also, any findings in astronomy of some area in the space where temperatures are absolute zero or lesser?

Using Fluther

or

Using Email

Separate multiple emails with commas.
We’ll only use these emails for this message.