Final answer:
Absolute zero, defined as 0 K on the Kelvin scale, is the theoretical point where molecular motion and heat removal from matter cease. The closest laboratory approach to this temperature was about 1 × 10⁻¹⁰ K, demonstrating that absolute zero cannot be reached in practice. The Kelvin scale, used widely in scientific contexts, begins at absolute zero and corresponds to -273.15°C.
Step-by-step explanation:
Absolute Zero and the Kelvin Scale
Scientists have determined that absolute zero or 0 K is the temperature at which the average kinetic energy of particles theoretically ceases, making it the 'lower limit' of the temperature of matter. On the Kelvin scale, which is an absolute temperature scale commonly used in science, temperatures are measured starting from this point. Absolute zero corresponds to approximately -273.15°C on the Celsius scale and represents a state where no energy can be removed from matter as heat.
In laboratories, the closest approach to absolute zero was approximately 1 × 10⁻¹⁰ K at Helsinki University of Technology, but reaching absolute zero in practice is not possible due to the third law of thermodynamics. Instead, experiments have helped scientists understand the principles that govern molecular motion and energy states at low temperatures, further cementing the Kelvin scale as a vital tool in scientific work.
At absolute zero, all molecular motion theoretically ceases, which is at about -459 °F or -273°C. This concept is critical for understanding various physical properties and phenomena, as the behavior of ideal gases and other systems are directly related to absolute temperature. Hence, the Kelvin scale, with its absolute nature, is essential for accurately describing temperature-related scientific principles.