Question

Temperature less than absolute zero is not possible.

(a) True

(b) False

I got this question in an international level competition.

The doubt is from Gases and Reactions in section Kinetic Theory of Gases of Engineering Physics I

Answer 1

Right answer is (a) True

Easiest explanation: According to the kinetic interpretation of temperature, absolute temperature is proportional to the average kinetic energy of molecules. As the heat is removed, the temperature falls and velocity of molecules decreases. At absolute zero, the kinetic energy becomes zero. As the kinetic energy cannot be negative so no further decrease in kinetic energy is possible. Hence temperature cannot be decreased below absolute zero.