Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology => Topic started by: jimbeaux hillard on 30/09/2011 12:30:03

Title: Is there an absolute hottest?
Post by: jimbeaux hillard on 30/09/2011 12:30:03

jimbeaux hillard  asked the Naked Scientists:
   
Without redefining absolute zero, would we as humans benefit by determining an absolute heat point? I don't think everyone would agree there is a point that could never be surpassed, but maybe we could say the point where the particles which are completely motionless at zero have enough energy to move at light speed?

Maybe a theoretical horizon where all particles are spinning or vibrating at light speed? Does too much stuff convert to energy itself when it gains that much energy to say that it's an attainable level for any matter? Would studying energy and matter at these levels help Mankind figure out how to move at or near the speed of light?

If so, what is the address for The Office of New Science Subjects at the Great Hall of The Scientific Community At Large? Will you help me compose the proposal letter?

What do you think?

Title: Is there an absolute hottest?
Post by: MikeS on 01/10/2011 07:36:23

If there is an absolute highest temperature then the universe was probably close to it at the moment of the big-bang.  The energy required to reach this temperature, I imagine, is way beyond anything we can produce in the laboratory. 

One of the reasons why light speed travel is unlikely is the vast amount of energy required to accelerate mass up to light speed.

Title: Is there an absolute hottest?
Post by: CPT ArkAngel on 01/10/2011 14:41:52

Here is an older discussion about it:

http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=38897.msg353311#msg353311

Title: Is there an absolute hottest?
Post by: Soul Surfer on 04/10/2011 23:51:49

There is no absolute highest temperature, but whenever things get so hot that particles can gave many times their rest mass in thermal energy any collisions between particles will produce many more particles which in effect share out the energy and reduce the temperature.  So it could be that at some point dependant on the rate of energy input that is creating the increase in temperature the temperature in effect saturates.

Title: Is there an absolute hottest?
Post by: Titanscape on 05/10/2011 04:46:33

Here is a similar thread:
http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=908.msg7503#msg7503