Page 291 - Microsoft Word - LessonPlan-Overview.doc
P. 291
Unit 8: Chemistry Page 16
energy state of matter. So matter existed in 1924. Seventy
energetic, in fact, that it can give one years later in 1995, two
off light. BEC is the lowest energy scientists at the University of
state of matter. Colorado using magnets and lasers
made it happen.
In fact,
BEC only Solids
happens
at So now that we’ve gotten those
energy bizarre states of matter out of the
levels way, let’s talk about some stuff
that are almost as low as possible. that really matters (haha...
Basically temperature is a couldn’t resist at least one pun).
measurement of energy. The Something to keep in mind is that
higher the temperature, the higher everything is made of the same
the energy of something and vice- stuff, atoms. What makes the
versa. Theoretically the coldest solids, liquids, gases etc. different
anything can ever get is 0 degrees is basically the energy (motion) of
Kelvin, (the same as -273 degrees the atoms. From BEC, where they
Celsius, or -459 degrees are so low energy that they are
Fahrenheit). This temperature is literally blending into one another,
called absolute zero. At absolute to plasma, where they are so high
zero, there is no energy and no energy they can emit light. Solids
atomic movement. Space is 3 are the lowest energy form of
degrees Kelvin. (We’ll get deeper matter that exist in nature (BEC
into this concept when we get to only happens under laboratory
the thermal energy lessons.) conditions).
Scientists have discovered that if In solids, the atoms and molecules
you get certain types of atoms cold are bonded (stuck) together in
enough (less than one millionth of such a way that they can’t move
a degree above absolute zero) you easily. They hold their shape.
get this bizarre thing called a Bose- That’s why you can sit in a chair.
Einstein condensate. When the The solid molecules hold their
atoms get that cold they move so shape and so they hold you up.
slowly that they kind of blend The typical characteristics that
together into one big atomic mush. solids tend to have are they keep
Satyendra Nath Bose and Albert their shape unless they are broken
Einstein predicted that this state of and that they do not flow. Let’s
© 2010 Supercharged Science www.ScienceLearningSpace.com
291
