Can electrons have kinetic energy at 0 Kelvin?

AI Thread Summary
At 0 Kelvin, atomic motion theoretically ceases, leading to electrons occupying their lowest energy levels. However, electrons can still possess kinetic energy, as they remain in non-localized states. This phenomenon is linked to the Heisenberg uncertainty principle, which implies that particles cannot have precisely defined positions and momenta simultaneously. Therefore, even at absolute zero, electrons exhibit kinetic energy due to their quantum behavior. The discussion confirms that while vibrational energy is zero, electrons are not entirely motionless.
Hyo X
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What happens to electrons at 0 Kelvin?
I know in theory all atomic motion stops (vibrational energy = 0),
and that the electrons occupy the lowest energy levels.
But it seems the electrons would have to still be orbiting or occupying non-localized states, and thus have kinetic energy? Can they have kinetic energy at 0 Kelvin?
 
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Hyo X said:
I know in theory all atomic motion stops (vibrational energy = 0),
That is not right. The atoms are in their ground state, in the lowest energy levels (but not zero), similar to the electrons.

Can they have kinetic energy at 0 Kelvin?
They can, and they have.
 
Hyo X said:
Can they have kinetic energy at 0 Kelvin?

mfb said:
They can, and they have.

Does this derive from the Heisenberg uncertainty principle?
 
It is related to that, right.
 
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