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Article ID: CBB001320840

Absolutely Negative (2013)

Burke, Katie (Author)

American Scientist
Volume: 101
Pages: 113
Publication date: 2013
Language: English

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Physics Science and technology, relationships Dark energy Theories of heat Cosmology Temperature 20th century 19th century Kelvin, William Thomson, Baron

In the mid-1 800s, Lord Kelvin postulated that nothing could be colder than the temperature of absolute zero degrees, when all atomic particles are at rest. But in the mid-20th century, physicists realized that the mathematics governing absolute temperature indicated that subzero temperatures were possible and, soon after that they were demonstrated. Recently, the first subzero Kelvin temperatures were achieved for particles in motion. Temperature depends on the kinetic and potential energies of atoms and on the interactions between them. By using an optical lattice of laser beams, atoms could still move, but their kinetic and potential energies were held in check. Researchers controlled interactions between the atoms with magnetic fields. This discovery has implications for technology, because negative temperatures could result in more efficient heat engines, and for cosmology, because negative temperatures may explain properties of dark energy.

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Description Looks at the history of subzero temperatures and its implications for technology and cosmology.

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