Do particles at absolute zero degrees vibrate?

Question

Do particles at absolute zero degrees(-273 C) vibrate?

Answer 1

If you mean would a single molecule of say Helium have vibrational energy if held in an environment of zero °K, then the theoretical answer in NO, it would not.



The key is Theoretical, for Absolute Zero is not obtainable in the physical universe. It is a mathematical construct. Humans who study this condition (called a Quantum Harmonic Oscillator) use some very hairy math, including the wave equations developed by Schrodinger.



Just as the velocity of electromagnetic radiation is a limit in the physical universe, so is the limit of Absolute Zero.

Answer 2

The uncertainty principle in quantum physics makes it impossible for things to be absolutely still at any temperature, even absolute zero. Atoms and particles may be at their ground state, or state of lowest possible energy, but it's still non-zero energy. Because matter at or near absolute zero exhibit strong quantum properties, working with near-absolute-zero temperatures is a popular means of studying Bose-Einstein or Fermi-Dirac statistics. Matter still exhibit wave properties even at absolute zero.



Addendum: In reviewing the other answers, it seems to me that the debate hinges on the word "vibrate". What does that really mean? They are right in that there virtually isn't any NEWTONIAN motion or oscillation any more, but that at those temperatures, quantum effects (or weirdness as some would prefer to call it) takes over, and it's not "still".

Answer 3

ahhh, tricky tricky point. The theory states that absolute zero is a point of no energy.. There ha sbeen a talk about this though. There is in string theory a sub group which could mean there is a " Foamy" substance underlying all matter. which means basically that ya atoms dont move, but the things, as i will call them. do move around some. Check around for superstrings and foam theories of matter.

answer: if particles you mean atoms, i would say not detectable. If particles you mean smaller than atoms and below muons and what not, i would like to think yes... so that we have something to explore in the future.

Answer 4

They do not vibrate. There is no energy at -273 K. Absolute Zero is purely theoretical however. In order for something to achieve absoulte xero, it would have to not exist. For example, space is the closest thing to absolute zero. For it to work experimentally, we would need something colder than absolute zero to cool down an object to absolute zero.

Answer 5

i'm afraid that i'm no longer precisely confident what you're announcing, yet in my opinion, at absolute 0, there is no power to be countless. even with the undeniable fact that, it is also accessible that it really isn't any longer accessible to attain absolute 0. First, the Bose-Einstein condensate varieties at rather low temperatures and continues to be that way (to interior our lab-stepped ahead thousandths of a level above 0 tiers Kelvin), which may mean that the BEC may carry a particular quantity of power, no matter how chilly it receives, for that reason allowing you to by no skill attain absolute 0. it is also exciting to video reveal that from a physics perspective, the Heisenberg Uncertainty concept woudl mean that you'll't attain absolute 0, because because you won't be able to degree power and position at the same time, it should be in action, because by searching at it, you've replaced it. this does no longer mean that a man or woman has to truly note some thing and say,"Oops, now i do not understand the position it truly is." it truly is a theory of atom formation and life cycle. yet I admit, i'm no longer a physicist, i'm a geologist. So possibly i'm only talking out of my rear.

Answer 6

Don't blindly accept the answers of 'no' but don't take that as a 'yes' either. Most people say 0K correlates with absolutely no movement, energy, vibration, existence, etc... Earlier this semester (today was the last day of class.. so it's been a while since my professor said this), but earlier this semester my inorganic chemistry professor said that quantum mechanics shows that there's some sort of movement or energy at 0K. He didn't go into it and we didn't ask, but there's something there. So don't take the naysayers as 100% right.

Answer 7

Rather than believe the answers given here, learn about absolute zero and decide this question for yourself. Then, contemplate whether the current definitions of absolute zero are strict enough, and whether anything prevents a lower temperature from being achieved.

Answer 8

no, at absolute zero no particles do not vibrate...this isnt actually real though, there is no way to get to absolute zero because opf the fact that light rays can travel through a vaccuum so there is always a heat source connecting it.

Answer 9

According to kinetic theory from the 18th century there would be no motion at absolute zero. Today quantum theory considers there are certain types of motion at absolute zero. No substance has ever be made to exist at absolute so these theories have not been tested with experiments.



Check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absolute_zero

Answer 10

No.. The very meaning of absolute zero is the cesation of all movement in the particles of matter.

Answer 11

no

Temperature is a measurement of molecular kinetic energy. Absolute zero means no energy.

Answer 12

There is no molecular movement at absolute zero. That is why it is called absolute zero.

Answer 13

everybody else is right but i thought i would add: absolute zero is theoretical because as things get colder they also get smaller. if any matter were to reach absolute zero not only would they be motionless, but it would also "shrink" itself into infinity... it would implode into nothingness and this is impossible because: "Matter can not be destroyed..."

Answer 14

theoretically no. however absolute zero has never actually been reach. we have been close though.

Answer 15

molecules do not, particle inside them still DO

Answer 16

No, they don't. Scary thought, huh?

Answer 17

no