At what temperature is absolute zero defined?

At what temperature is absolute zero defined?

• A. 32 degrees Celsius
• B. -273.15 degrees Celsius
• C. 0 degrees Celsius
• D. 0 degrees Fahrenheit

Answer: (B)

Absolute zero is defined as the theoretical temperature at which a system reaches its minimum possible energy, meaning that the particles within that system have minimal vibrational motion. This temperature is equivalent to -273.15 degrees Celsius. At this point, the entropy of a perfect crystal would be at its minimum value. The concept of absolute zero is significant in the study of thermodynamics, as it serves as a baseline for measuring temperature on the Kelvin scale. Zero Kelvin corresponds directly to -273.15 degrees Celsius, making it a fundamental point in physics. This point of reference is crucial when discussing the behavior of gases, thermal energy, and the laws of thermodynamics. The other temperature choices do not represent absolute zero: 32 degrees Celsius is the freezing point of water, 0 degrees Celsius is the freezing point of water in another context, and 0 degrees Fahrenheit is a scale that also does not align with the concept of absolute zero in thermodynamic terms.

Absolute zero is defined as the theoretical temperature at which a system reaches its minimum possible energy, meaning that the particles within that system have minimal vibrational motion. This temperature is equivalent to -273.15 degrees Celsius. At this point, the entropy of a perfect crystal would be at its minimum value.

The concept of absolute zero is significant in the study of thermodynamics, as it serves as a baseline for measuring temperature on the Kelvin scale. Zero Kelvin corresponds directly to -273.15 degrees Celsius, making it a fundamental point in physics. This point of reference is crucial when discussing the behavior of gases, thermal energy, and the laws of thermodynamics.

The other temperature choices do not represent absolute zero: 32 degrees Celsius is the freezing point of water, 0 degrees Celsius is the freezing point of water in another context, and 0 degrees Fahrenheit is a scale that also does not align with the concept of absolute zero in thermodynamic terms.