Why are atoms in constant motion?

AI Thread Summary
Atoms are in constant motion due to the inherent energy present in the universe, which is fundamentally linked to temperature. Temperature serves as a human-defined concept to describe atomic and molecular movement; increasing temperature corresponds to increased kinetic energy and faster atomic motion. The discussion highlights that absolute zero represents a state where atomic motion ceases, as energy transfer is not possible at that level. Additionally, the conversation touches on the complexities of atomic behavior at the quantum level, where classical definitions of motion may not apply. Overall, the constant motion of atoms is a fundamental phenomenon tied to energy and temperature dynamics.
dolimitless
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Why are all atoms in constant motion? It is just a fundamental phenomena of our world? Can someone explain the theory behind this?

Why does decreasing/increasing the "temperature" affect the speed (kinetic energy) of atoms? Again, can someone explain the fundamental theory behind this?
 
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All atoms are in constant motion because this universe has energy of some kinds.
Temperature is just a concept that human beings use to describe the movement of atomes/molecules. When we "increase temperature", it's nothing other than we increase the movement of the molecules somehow, say put an electric heater under the kettle: the high movement of the atoms in the heater will transfer to the kettle and then the water inside it.
 
pixel01 said:
All atoms are in constant motion because this universe has energy of some kinds.
QUOTE]
there are many things that science haven't explained yet, and only we are in the way to find out all of the law in the univer, i think that any iterms exist in the world have energy, and movement manifest itself of the existence. this is follow the theory of relativity
Temperature is just a concept that human beings use to describe the movement of atomes/molecules. When we "increase temperature", it's nothing other than we increase the movement of the molecules somehow, say put an electric heater under the kettle: the high movement of the atoms in the heater will transfer to the kettle and then the water inside it.[/
temperature is a kind of manifestation of energy, and it is directly propotional to energy, and the speed also, so, when temperature increase, movement is quickly
 
Concept of temperature does put things in the right context. The lowest energy state where the matter cannot transfer energy to other matter because it is not vibrating fast enough, is called absolute zero in thermodynamics (which studies phenomena at molecular level.)

Atoms in motion is just the expression thermal of energy/temperature around us. At sub molecular level, there are a much more fundamental things that need quantum mechanics for explanation.
 
dolimitless said:
Why are all atoms in constant motion? It is just a fundamental phenomena of our world? Can someone explain the theory behind this?

<snip>

I'm not sure they are- at least, I don't understand how the concept of velocity carries over to quantum mechanics. I'm not sure there is even a quantum-mechanical definition of velocity that correlates with the classical picture of tiny little balls jiggling around.
 
Imagine that when you snapped your fingers the atoms could start and then continue to slow down.The temperature would drop the atmosphere would sink and depending on the pressure parts of it could liquify and solidify.The oceans and rivers and all living things would freeze and blah blah blah.Moral,don't snap your fingers.:cry:
 
I have recently been really interested in the derivation of Hamiltons Principle. On my research I found that with the term ##m \cdot \frac{d}{dt} (\frac{dr}{dt} \cdot \delta r) = 0## (1) one may derivate ##\delta \int (T - V) dt = 0## (2). The derivation itself I understood quiet good, but what I don't understand is where the equation (1) came from, because in my research it was just given and not derived from anywhere. Does anybody know where (1) comes from or why from it the...
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