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

Zero Point Energy implies that 0 Kelvin may not be the true lower limit.

and we haven’t found a single place in space at 0K even in the vacuum of space it’s slightly above 0K

From what I understand, at absolute zero all molecular motion ceases. So the reason for there being a defined limit, and where that limit occurs, is the limit at which you can’t take more energy out of the system, to drop the temperature further.

As such, you can’t get colder. (but it would be nice to hear from an expert on this)

i understand not having less than 0 k temperatures. but at least we should have 100% vacuum areas in outer space having 0 k temperature since it is100% empty.

@AdamF has the answer. 0K is where there is no motion of the particles within that space. Take a look at superfluidity for what happens just above that temperature.

We have been able to achieve temperatures as cold as one billionth of a degree above absolute zero using techniques such as laser cooling. Outer space is well above this though, generally at around 1–2K. It is not empty, it is flooded with photons streaming out from stars, and quantum binary pairs that constantly pop in and out of existence. There are also free atoms floating around, at a density of only a few atoms per cubic centimetre.

What @AdamF said, however in the quantum world absolute immobility isn’t possible due to the uncertainty principle and so we can never quite reach absolute zero.

All temperatures exist between the 0 and the infinte and these states are intangible, invisble non physical…therefore it means it is an impossibility to actually measure these states using any human method….

Since both states are identical according to human concepts and reasoning, the are not able to differentiate one from the other, so they search for each where they are not and when ever they do appear they give them forms which keep their True nature hidden.

@kess, I’m sorry, but I need to point out that your answer is nonsense. Temperature is not “non-physical.” It is defined by the science of physics.

You can’t just spout off mystical-sounding BS to answer a scientific question.

To answer the question, yes, there is the energy of quantum foam even in a pure vacuum with no temperature. Basically, space itself is associated with a nonzero level of energy.

And my very limited understanding says that there are some hypotheses out there that posit that the universe we live in is a bubble of “false vacuum” and that there is an even deeper vacuum.

A vacuum is simply the lowest energy state of a system.

There’s also the Planck Temperature, AKA absolute hot.

Qingu as long as you see BS, BS will continue to blind your eyes…..it was better say you do not yet understand an any man who is dependant upon science to determine his existence is trusting the same BS that you see.

@the100thmonkey cool! didnt know about that :)

@kess Why would anyone think that someone’s beliefs and philosophies provide a more accurate description of this entire universe rather than solid science based on maths, laws and evidence?
if it were not for this solid science, we wouldn’t have the technological developments.
Imagine if scientists had chatted about baseless philosophies with no science? would they succeed in inventing toasters, aeroplanes and computers. Would they build stronger houses and provide safe shelter? Would they invent medicines to take care of billions of people?
No wonder most people tend to trust science in the pursuit for getting a clearer picture of everything that is as for everything else.

Krazypassions it is actually very simple, science answer questions and present more of the same, they begin and end with the “I dont Know”

How long have they been at it an what have they really done?

Beside keeping themselve busy and blowing their own trumpets…nothing for men simply continue to die in their knowledge and in far more creative ways added to it..

@kess, if you don’t know that temperature is a physical property, you clearly don’t know anything about the subject.

You can spout religious-style platitudes all you want (“you don’t understand me because you haven’t opened your eyes to see!”) Any fool can make statements like that.

Yep to the world I will always be a fool so I guess you have established your position….I am cool with that, cause I know all their knowledge ends in death….

@kess You can explain things inexplicable by science in your terms. Like what happens after death, what is the plan of God, how large is the universe and philosophical questions like what is the purpose of life and what is mind and what is soul. But other things under the dome of science should be kept to their scientific explanations since we have actually proved them by maths and experiment. And the dome of science is increasing as time progresses.
Lets say the world is simply an illusion or a simulation. Still, this simulation is following certain laws that we know of, and as long as we are dealing things within this simulation, we can talk in term of these laws since they work and make much sense!

@Qingu Perhaps kess has an access to the Theory Of Everything that we all are so desperately seeking to find. Hence, while he can understand and express the facts in terms of this theory, we still have not developed the intellectual capabilities to see and perceive the very basics of this seemingly complex universe!

Why is it strange to think that molecules can’t have kinetic energy below zero?

We are biased by living in a world where temperature is hundreds of degrees above absolute zero, and in which, historically, temperature scales were developed before we understood the physical meaning of temperature.

no, there’s negative just go “backwards” (an opposing direction)
and kess we can measure proportionally
we can determine (not perfecly, but OK) how much x it takes to make y

@krrazypassions sounds like he has access to THC, not TOE.

I mean. He said temperature is non-physical and impossible to measure. That is like saying the sky is made of spaghetti.

With our knowledge and establish sytem to reach Absolute zero, no.
Is absolute zero reachable. Yes
Would it be very hard to reach. Yes.

it seems like kess was talking about numbers (our measurements) not being real, just a perception, i don’t know what to make of what else he said

To those who are really trying to understand let me say it differently….

All thing will exist somewhere between the Zero and infinity otherwise it cannot be measured,...and that exactly where temperature falls…therefore there cannot be 0 temperature because it would be 0 an not temperature….The same is for the infinite…..

It can only take complex scientific mind to mess up such a simplistic understanding…

There is a way to know everything but if one cannot get past the simplicity of it, then it become impossible for him to understand anything…..

That is the scientific learning…hide Truth in complexity…

There is an understandable beginning and end… and both are one and the same..

Find it and you find all things.

@kess complications are often made in the name of science but science itself i think should simplify also why do you think there has is a beginning or an end

@Qingu, we are all touched by His Noodly Appendage in oe way or another. When you say the sky is made of spaghetti, I see his Work.

RAmen!

Absolute zero is exactly what it sounds like. Absolute zero. @AdamF had the answer spot on. You can’t get more zero than zero.

you can get less than zero, also you can get “more” of zero or more of cold?

@s321scba Not when you’re talking about absolute temperature you can’t. There’s no less than zero in Kelvin scale.

Okay, so to paraphrase, the lowest limit of temperature is zero kelvin or absolute zero, which we cannot reach exactly, but only tend to reach towards it (like limits in calculus)
All theories, like laws of thermodynamics and Uncertainty Principle and kess’s explanation of how zero would mean absence of temperature and so can’t be measured point out towards this very same fact.

Also, for non-experts atleast, reaching to one billionth of a degree above absolute zero is as good as reaching zero temperature. So we are good enough with absolute zero I guess :)

Example as to why Absolute 0 is debatable.

Supposedly, all atoms at 0K will stop moving about. HOWEVER (and please don’t ask me to root up this source, because he’s dead and was a very brilliant man), according to all the math scientists do in their spare time and work time, it looks like a few atoms don’t stop vibrating, ex. Helium. This would imply that 0K is in fact, not.

Also space is not a complete vacuum and will always be at least an itty bit above 0K as long as there are photons flying through.