Most scientists agree on the coldest possible temperature. That would be at -459.67 degrees F (-273.15 degrees C or, on the Kelvin scale used by geeks, 0 degrees K). It is pretty cold at that level, especially considering that the coldest known natural temperature on earth was a balmy -128.6 degrees F (-89 degrees C) measured in Antarctica in 1983.
The temperature of a substance is determined by how fast its molecules are moving, and, at absolute zero, there are no moving molecules at all.
Outer space is pretty close to absolute zero, but does not quite make it as there are still a few random molecules moving around out there.
The temperature of a substance is determined by how fast its molecules are moving, and, at absolute zero, there are no moving molecules at all.
Outer space is pretty close to absolute zero, but does not quite make it as there are still a few random molecules moving around out there.
What about the highest possible temperature? The answer to that question is a little more problematic. According to Max Plank, who won the 1918 Nobel Prize for his work on quantum physics, the highest possible temperature is 255 nonillion (255,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000)* degrees F (141 nonillion degrees C). However, according to string theory, the highest possible temperature, known as the Hagedorn temperature, is a mere 2 nonillion degrees F (1.1 nonillion degrees C). Another even more frigid estimate, based on studies at the CERN Large Hadron Collider is only 180 quadrillion (180,000,000,000,000,000) degrees F (100 quadrillion degrees C). The hottest part of the sun (which is its core) is a wussy 27 million degrees F (15 million degrees C).
In short, the correct answer to the question about the highest possible temperature is--"really high."
*Americans are getting accustomed to numbers of this magnitude in light of anticipated future federal deficits. Of course, Illinois residents are even more desensitized than most.
*Americans are getting accustomed to numbers of this magnitude in light of anticipated future federal deficits. Of course, Illinois residents are even more desensitized than most.
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