Highest possible temperature = Planck temperature?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the concept of the highest possible temperature, specifically the Planck temperature, and a professor's assertion that objects can be heated to infinitely high temperatures. While thermodynamics does not rule out infinite temperatures, it is argued that reaching such a temperature is impossible since heating requires a hotter body, which cannot exist at infinity. The student expresses feelings of humiliation from the professor's comments during class. Clarification is sought on the distinction between "infinitely high temperature" and the ability to heat objects to very high temperatures. The conversation highlights the complexities of temperature theory and the challenges in academic discussions.
Lisa...
Messages
189
Reaction score
0
Hey there!

Today I've had a discussion with my professor on the existence of a so called highest possible temperature. I've read somewhere that this is called the Planck temperature, but my teacher believes an object can be heaten to an infinitely high temperature and he was very sure of his case.
I must say he loved to humiliate me in front of the whole class and I do feel very bad about it, so I just wanted to know what do you guys think?
 
Science news on Phys.org
http://curious.astro.cornell.edu/question.php?number=136

It is interesting that infinite temperatures are not ruled out by the theory of thermodynamics, but it is also interesting that it is not possible to heat a body to an infinite temperature. In order to heat a body you need a hotter body - which is not possible when you reach infinite temperatures.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Lisa... said:
Hey there!

Today I've had a discussion with my professor on the existence of a so called highest possible temperature. I've read somewhere that this is called the Planck temperature, but my teacher believes an object can be heaten to an infinitely high temperature and he was very sure of his case.
I must say he loved to humiliate me in front of the whole class and I do feel very bad about it, so I just wanted to know what do you guys think?

Did your professor really say that, or did he say that an object can be heated to any temperature, no matter how high? Those are different statements- there is no such thing as "infinitely high temperature".
 
He literally said: 'An object can be heaten to an infinitely high temperature', just as I wrote.
 

Similar threads

Some questions about heat and temperature
Replies
7
Views
2K
Negative absolute temperatures
Replies
1
Views
2K
A Planck 2015 CMB temperature individual pixel variance
Replies
6
Views
2K
What is the name of this Heat Engine?
Replies
8
Views
9K
I Calculation of ideal ignition temperature for a D-T fusion reaction
Replies
3
Views
4K
B Planck's equation and upper and lower bounds on the energy of a photon
Replies
8
Views
2K
A Confusion with finite temperature and lattice formulation
Replies
3
Views
2K
I Nuclear reactions in the Sun and other topics on stars
Replies
49
Views
5K
Studying Am I Missing the Right Approach to Studying Math?
Replies
9
Views
2K
I Some questions about Cosmic Inflation
Replies
4
Views
4K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top