32. Absolute zero temperature

From the point of view of molecular-kinetic theory, at a temperature equal to absolute zero \((T {~=~} 0), \overline{E} {~=~} 0\), and, therefore, the movement of molecules is completely stopped. However, at such low temperatures, the motion of particles is no longer fully subject to the Laws of Newton's mechanics. According to more precise laws of motion of micro-particles (Laws of Quantum Mechanics) the motion of atoms in solids cannot stop at \(T {~=~} 0\). At absolute zero temperature only heat motion of atoms is stopped, but not movement at all. For example, at any temperature the intra-atomic motion of electrons does not stop.

Absolute zero is unreachable. You can only get as close to absolute zero as you like. At present, temperatures have been reached only a thousandth of a degree above absolute zero. At temperatures close to absolute zero, new phenomena are observed in bodies, for example, superconductivity (see \(\S94\)), and superfluidity of liquid helium - the ability of helium to flow at temperatures below \(2.17^0K\) through narrow capillaries without friction. Superfluidity was discovered in 1938 by Pyotr Kapitsa and John F. Allen.