Do Electrons Move at Absolute Zero?

Sixty Symbols takes on the question of if electrons would move around the atom at absolute zero. The answer surprised me a bit, but makes sense and is sort of a slap yourself in the head and of course that is the answer aspect to it.
They also take on the Big Bang and if they are any good at and/or enjoy sports.
jwraysays...

Why doesn't the random quantum movement of these particles cause a system near absolute zero to heat up? If these random quantum flucuations cause the electron to bump into another particle, imparting it with momentum, does that momentum not "count" as heat? Weird.

Tymbrwulfsays...

>> ^jwray:

Why doesn't the random quantum movement of these particles cause a system near absolute zero to heat up? If these random quantum flucuations cause the electron to bump into another particle, imparting it with momentum, does that momentum not "count" as heat? Weird.


I think you're assuming absolute zero is possible. That could be one of the reasons that reaching absolute zero is, in fact, not possible.

These videos are awesome.

UmberGryphonsays...

Surprised nobody objected to the word "orbit" in the first question. Yes, for historical reasons physicists talk about electron orbitals, but it's not like the electron's spinning around the nucleus like a planet orbits the sun....

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