zero-point energy

== English == === Etymology === Calque of German Nullpunktenergie. === Noun === zero-point energy (plural zero-point energies) (physics, quantum mechanics) The lowest possible energy of a given quantum mechanical system. 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 ℏ ω / 2 {\displaystyle \hbar \omega /2} . (physics, physical chemistry) The kinetic energy possessed by (the particle constituents of) a substance at absolute zero temperature. ==== Synonyms ==== ground state energy, zero-point radiation, ZPE ==== Related terms ==== zero-point field ==== Translations ==== === Further reading === Casimir effect on Wikipedia.Wikipedia Absolute zero on Wikipedia.Wikipedia Thermodynamic temperature on Wikipedia.Wikipedia Ground state on Wikipedia.Wikipedia