zero-point energy
nounEtymology Calque of German Nullpunktenergie.
1
Natural sciences, Physical sciences, Physics The lowest possible energy of a given quantum mechanical system.
Quantum mechanics
- The existence of a zero-point energy (i.e., the existence of a non-zero lower limit to the energy of a quantum-mechanical system) is a consequence of Heisenberg's uncertainty principle.
- 2000, Stephen T. Thornton, Andrew F. Rex, Modern Physics for Scientists and Engineers, Saunders College Publishing, page 205, Our estimate for the zero-point energy of the harmonic oscillator is hbar ω/2.
2
Chemistry, Natural sciences, Physical sciences, Physics Physical The kinetic energy possessed by (the particle constituents of) a substance at absolute zero temperature.
- The calculated zero-point energies of hydrogen at inner bulk, GB, and FS are within 0.12-0.16eV/H.2004, Journal of the Physical Society of Japan, Volume 73, Pages 1-768, Physical Society of Japan, page 441:
- Synonyms
- ground state energy, zero-point radiation, ZPE
- Related terms
- zero-point field