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1992-09-02
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The lowest temperature theoretically
possible, zero degrees kelvin, equivalent to
-273.16 degrees C/-459.67 degrees F, at which
molecules are motionless. Although the third
law of thermodynamics indicates the
impossibility of reaching absolute zero
exactly, a temperature within 3 x 10^-8
kelvin of it was produced in 1984 by Finnish
scientists. Near absolute zero, the physical
properties of some materials change
substantially; for example, some metals lose
their electrical resistance and become
superconductive. See cryogenics.
Subject by: Russell Webb