absolute zero

[slash112]

have they reached absolute zero yet? i heard that noone has been able to get anything to that cold. and i was also thinking, if absolute zero does stop all movement/vibrations, then does that mean that electrons stop orbiting? because if it does, then wouldnt that mean that the van der waals forces in a covalent molecules would fall apart from each other? which would make what ever it is just break up or turn to liquid or gas or whatever (which would be the opposite of what would be expected since it would be below its melting point.

[O'nus]

I am pretty certain that the LHC can achieve this. Otherwise, it is been only reproduced in some labs. *Shrugs* ~

[Photolysis]

No: it is impossible. Very close, yes. Extremely close, as in millionths of a degree close, but actually there, no.

[slash112]

No: it is impossible. Very close, yes. Extremely close, as in millionths of a degree close, but actually there, no. do you mean it is physically impossible, or impossible because we dont have the technology yet? and also, what about my thing about things breaking down/melting/boiling at absolute zero, if it were theoretically possible to get to absolute zero, would this happen? and o'nus, how could colliding protons make something get to absolute zero?

[Photolysis]

do you mean it is physically impossible, or impossible because we dont have the technology yet? Physically impossible, according to the laws of thermodynamics. i was also thinking, if absolute zero does stop all movement/vibrations, then does that mean that electrons stop orbiting? because if it does, then wouldnt that mean that the van der waals forces in a covalent molecules would fall apart from each other? which would make what ever it is just break up or turn to liquid or gas or whatever (which would be the opposite of what would be expected since it would be below its melting point. At absolute zero, the atoms would be at the lowest energy state, but they would still have some energy (the zero point energy). This is energy that cannot be taken away. Molecules wouldn't fall apart simply because they would have no energy to do so. Breaking stuff requires energy. Stuff at absolute zero would be a solid. And yes, Van der Waal forces would definitely still apply. Electrons don't orbit atoms; atoms are not really like a model of the solar system despite what it often taught to students beginning to learn science. They're essentially thought of as a field of charge and the energy state is basically the probability of it being in a certain region around the atom.

[O'nus]

and o'nus, how could colliding protons make something get to absolute zero? The entire LHC is required to be at the right temperature to make the magnets become superconducters. Simply google "LHC Temperature" to see how much Kelvin it is at. It is not the colliding of protons that make temperature.. lol. ~

[slash112]

Physically impossible, according to the laws of thermodynamics. At absolute zero, the atoms would be at the lowest energy state, but they would still have some energy (the zero point energy). This is energy that cannot be taken away. Molecules wouldn't fall apart simply because they would have no energy to do so. Breaking stuff requires energy. Stuff at absolute zero would be a solid. And yes, Van der Waal forces would definitely still apply. Electrons don't orbit atoms; atoms are not really like a model of the solar system despite what it often taught to students beginning to learn science. They're essentially thought of as a field of charge and the energy state is basically the probability of it being in a certain region around the atom. but i was taught in chemistry that van der waals forces come about due to the orbiting of the electrons. and if the electrons were to stop, then the dipole or whatever you call it wouldnt be there anymore. i know it isnt like the solar system, i know that electrons have an orbit which goes against all previous theories untill quantum stuff. and you lost me when you went on about feild of charge etc. The entire LHC is required to be at the right temperature to make the magnets become superconducters. Simply google "LHC Temperature" to see how much Kelvin it is at. It is not the colliding of protons that make temperature.. lol. ~ oh, woops.