Chapter U3.53, Problem 1TAI

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation : To what degree can substances become cold is to be described.

Concept Introduction : Temperature is degree of hotness or coldness. On Earth the coldest place is Antarctica with a chilling temperature of -89⁰C. Temperatures as low as -235⁰C have been recorded by researchers on the surface of Triton, a moon of Neptune.

Answer to Problem 1TAI

The lowest temperature possible is called absolute zero. This is found out to be equal to -273.15⁰C as the temperature at which substances have zero volume.

Explanation of Solution

Matter responds to change in temperature by displaying change in volume. Generally, increase in temperature causes matter to expand while cooling makes the matter contract. This property of matter is used to measure temperature.

With a decrease in temperature volume of most substances also decreases. Hypothetically, the lowest temperature possible would be something that would correspond to a volume of zero. The lowest temperature possible is called absolute zero. This is found out to be equal to -273.15⁰C as the temperature at zero volume.

Conclusion

As the temperature is lowered a gas would actually condense to liquid and then to solid. So zero volume is a property that is still a hypothesis.