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Re: [Phys-L] heat content




Regarding Anthony L's question:

This is all very interesting but way beyond my high school
classes that I teach (any my physics knowledge!).

What do I tell kids about motion and absolute zero? What's
appropriate?

They know that temperature is a measure of the average KE of the
molecules in an object. To them, absolute zero would imply no
motion.

Personally, I would attempt to level with them and say that whether or not there is motion at absolute zero or not is a subtle nuanced issue that is not going to be resolved at the usual high school level.

But, in any event, there *is* such a thing as zero point energy (and degeneracy pressure, too). It really exists. Those particles at absolute zero *do* have a residual energy over and above the value they would have if they were actually Newtonian entities obeying Newton's laws. But whether of not to say this excess energy necessitates the existence of a concomitant 'motion' is frankly well beyond the level of a typical high school physics class.

David Bowman