Measuring Temperature of Particles in Motion

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the concept of measuring the temperature of particles in motion, emphasizing that temperature is not merely internal kinetic energy but a statistical average of a system's energy distribution. It clarifies that a single isolated particle cannot possess a temperature, as temperature arises from interactions among multiple particles. The conversation highlights the complexities of temperature in physics, including the implications of quantum mechanics and the relationship between temperature and information theory.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of kinetic energy and its relationship to temperature
  • Familiarity with statistical mechanics and thermodynamics
  • Basic knowledge of quantum mechanics, particularly Heisenberg's uncertainty principle
  • Concept of information theory and its connections to thermodynamics
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the principles of statistical mechanics and their application to temperature measurement
  • Explore quantum mechanics, focusing on Heisenberg's uncertainty principle and its implications for particle behavior
  • Study the relationship between temperature and information theory in thermodynamics
  • Investigate the concept of zero-point energy and its relevance to particle motion
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, students of thermodynamics, and anyone interested in the complexities of temperature measurement in quantum systems.

Edi
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Temperature is basically the movement/ vibrations of particles. They vibrate only because they are in interaction with other particles/ fields - otherwise they would just fly in a straight line.
As they have kinetic energy. Temperature = internal kinetic energy.

How can one measure particles temperature, if it is just lone flying in a straight line? It does not have internal kinetic energy. (unless it's non-fundamental)
It has RELATIVE velocity, by witch one could measure its temperature, but only relative.
Relative - there is a frame, where the particle doesn't move at all. Meaning its temperature is 0K ? (witch is thought not to be possible)
 
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Temperature is not the same as kinetic energy. Temperature is a concept which arises in a statistical averaged description of a system. In a system with lot's of particles, the particles interact and exchange energy and momentum. Any given particles keeps on moving from one (quantum) state to another. The system may have a fixed energy: the distribution of this energy among the particle is constantly changing. By statistical averaging over "state occupied by a particle" x "relative time it occupies this state" you can still say meaningful things about the properties of the system as a whole -- concepts like pressure, temperature, and so on arise from this statistical description.

Saying that "Temperature = internal kinetic energy" is therefore not true, I'm afraid. The reason where this intuitive, but false statement comes from, is that for a gas of particles at some temperate T, the average kinetic energy of a particle is propertional to the temperature T, [itex]E\propto T[/itex]. So for a gas the statement "Temperature = internal kinetic energy" makes more sense, but this brakes down in a lot of other systems.

In particularly, the system you are describing is not a system in thermal equilibrium. It actually doesn't have a temperature. The reason is that you cannot assign a temperature to a system consisting out of one particle. The particle has a particular energy, and this energy "distribution" does not fluctuate, since it is all assigned to one particle.
 
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"They vibrate only because they are in interaction with other particles/ fields"

false,,in fact most of your post is factually incorrect...why not read Wikipedia or another source and then ask some questions with a foundation...even a particle at absolute zero in free space has zero point motion (vibrations that never disappear)...

A single isolated particle, if confined to an ever small volume exhibits increasing frequency(more oscillations) due to its confinement...according to quantum mechanics and Heisnenerg uncertainty...

However, also recognize that "temperature" is a complex issue in physics (like too many issues) and so has layer upon layer of complexity. If you are really interested in temperature, also look at information based temperature...the theory of information has many connections with thermodynamics...maybe even information IS thermodynamics...
 

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