Why does an oscillatory system have a lower bound in energy?

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SUMMARY

An oscillatory system has a lower bound in energy due to the principles of Quantum Mechanics, specifically the concept of zero-point energy. This energy, quantified as hf/2, represents the minimum energy state of an oscillator vibrating at frequency f. Classical Physics fails to account for this phenomenon, which is a fundamental aspect of quantum systems. Understanding this concept is crucial for grasping the behavior of oscillatory systems at the quantum level.

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  • Quantum Mechanics fundamentals
  • Understanding of oscillatory systems
  • Familiarity with energy quantization
  • Basic knowledge of frequency and its implications in physics
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  • Study the concept of zero-point energy in Quantum Mechanics
  • Explore the implications of energy quantization in oscillatory systems
  • Learn about the differences between Classical Physics and Quantum Mechanics
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Students and professionals in physics, particularly those focusing on Quantum Mechanics, thermodynamics, and the behavior of oscillatory systems.

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Thermodynamics question:

Why does the internal energy have a lower bound?

I tried to explain it using postulates, but cannot get the connection between the postulates. Please do explain it briefly. Thank you.
 
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An oscillatory system has got a lower bound. It can not be explained in the frames of Classical Physics, but comes out from Quantum Mechanics. The lowest energy of an oscillator vibrating with frequency f is hf/2, called the zero-point energy of the oscillator.
 

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