The phenomenon of the lowest possible temperature will be explored during the Dec. 9 talk "Much Ado About Absolute Zero" on the University of Colorado at Boulder campus.
Physics Professor Paul Beale will present the talk, which is part of the physics department's monthly Saturday Physics Series, at 2 p.m. in Duane Physics room G1B30. The event is free and open to the public.
The audience will learn what heat is, how temperature is related to the motion of molecules, why there is an absolute zero temperature and what happens when matter is cooled to temperatures close to absolute zero. They also will learn what distinguishes solids, liquids and gases from each other.
During the show Beale will use props including an infrared camera, balloons and superconductors cooled with liquid nitrogen to demonstrate how temperatures are measured and how the properties of materials change dramatically as the temperature is varied from very hot to very cold.
The remaining 2006-07 Saturday Physics schedule is:
o Jan. 20, 2 p.m., Duane Physics room G1B30, Professor Allen Franklin of physics, "Can Data Be Too Good To Be True?"
o Feb. 17, 2 p.m., Duane Physics room G1B30, Associate Professor Steven Pollock of physics, "Physics Education Research in Action."
o March 17, 2 p.m., Duane Physics room G1B30, Associate Professor Scott Parker of physics, "Physics of Musical Sound."
o April 21, 2 p.m., Duane Physics room G1B30, Research Associate Stephen Wagner of physics, "Mystery of Mass."
The Saturday Physics Series is intended for Colorado high school students, teachers and adults. For more information call (303) 492-4318 or visit physics.colorado.edu/Saturday/.