absolute zero
5
6.7
- noun
- /ˈæb.sə.luːt ˈziː.roʊ/
- Specialized
:
cero absoluto
- Scientists work hard to reach absolute zero to study the behavior of matter in its most stable state.
- temperature of absolute zero
- degrees above absolute zero
It requires, you know, almost absolute zero, you know, degrees and, and very cold and very large rooms and so on.
- It requires, you know, almost absolute zero, you know, degrees and, and very cold and very large rooms and so on.
Examples
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The Sun's surface temperature, T Sun, is about 6,000 K (i.e., 6,000 degrees above absolute zero).
Academic text (1994) -
All matter with a temperature greater than absolute zero emits thermal radiation.
Blog text (18) -
When no more energy can be removed, the system is at absolute zero, which cannot be achieved experimentally.
Blog text (29) -
Thus, the semiconductor is a perfect insulator at absolute zero.
Academic text (1993) -
Approaching the mythically cold temperature of absolute zero, the degree at which all particles stop.
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Nature has arranged that every object not at a temperature of absolute zero radiates photons at all wavelengths.
Academic text (1991) -
Any matter above the temperature of absolute zero (about -273 Celsius) will emit light.
Blog text (28) -
A Kelvin is a unit of temperature where zero Kelvin corresponds to absolute zero, and water boils at 373 Kelvin.
Academic text (1992) -
At absolute zero, there is minimal motion of particles, making this temperature theoretically significant in physics.
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The temperature was measured to be just above absolute zero, indicating an almost complete lack of particle movement.
Surface Forms
Morphology
The components 'absolute' (complete) and 'zero' (no quantity) transparently suggest a total or extreme zero point, so a B1 learner who knows both words will likely infer it means an extreme or complete absence of temperature. However, the precise scientific sense (the thermodynamic temperature of 0 K and associated particle-motion implications) is technical and not fully predictable from the constituents alone, so the expression is only partially transparent.
Etymology
The name absolute zero comes from the idea of a complete zero of heat: absolute means 'total' and zero means 'nothing', so it's the point where tiny particles hardly move. That's why absolute zero means 'the lowest possible temperature'.