Nernst Develops Third Law of Thermodynamics

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Article abstract: Walther Nernst showed that it is impossible to reach a temperature of absolute zero and that, close to that temperature, matter exhibits no disorder. Together, these two statements are known as the third law of thermodynamics.

Reaching Very Low Temperatures

Beginning in the 1870’s, scientists were able to achieve temperatures lower than -100 degrees Celsius by allowing gases to expand rapidly. At such low temperatures, the gases themselves often became liquid and could be used to cool other materials to similar temperatures. Work in...

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