Why is absolute zero important?

Answer 1

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

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_BT#

#k_B# = Boltzmann's constant = #1.38065 times 10^-23 J//K# #T# = absolute temperature (Kelvin)

At absolute zero, #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"# is the coldest that you can ever hope to get.

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Answer 2

Xavier Avery

Absolute zero is important because it is the lowest possible temperature, at which molecular motion ceases. This temperature serves as the starting point for the Kelvin temperature scale and is crucial for understanding thermodynamics and the behavior of matter at extreme conditions.

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Answer from HIX Tutor

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.