What is absolute zero?

What is absolute zero?

• A. 273 degrees C and 546 K
• B. 0 degrees C and 273 K
• C. -273 degrees C and 0 K
• D. -273 K and 0 C

Answer: (C)

Absolute zero is the lowest temperature possible, where the Kelvin value is zero. At this limit, thermal motion is minimized, so there is essentially no thermal energy in the classical sense. Since Kelvin and Celsius relate by K = C + 273.15, 0 K corresponds to about -273.15 °C. The option that lists -273 °C with 0 K matches this relationship, so it’s the correct description. The other choices do not align with 0 K or -273.15 °C.

Absolute zero is the lowest temperature possible, where the Kelvin value is zero. At this limit, thermal motion is minimized, so there is essentially no thermal energy in the classical sense. Since Kelvin and Celsius relate by K = C + 273.15, 0 K corresponds to about -273.15 °C. The option that lists -273 °C with 0 K matches this relationship, so it’s the correct description. The other choices do not align with 0 K or -273.15 °C.