Physics at low temperatures
Physics at low temperatures
Billowing waves, flying vehicles, cool crystals - physics at low temperatures
Prof Dr Achim Kittel
Institute of Physics
Moderation: NDR 1 Niedersachsen
Gong: Pascal
Camera: Joost (11 years old)
It happens every year: in winter, the rain turns to snow. The lakes freeze over so that - if it was cold long enough - we can go ice-skating. Water changes shape depending on the temperature: It appears solid in the form of ice, as a liquid or as a gas in the form of water vapour.
But what is it actually like? Is water something very special or can we also observe these changes in other substances? What happens when we lower the temperature further and further to well below the freezing point of water - to temperatures of almost -200°C? At these temperatures, air is liquid and almost looks like water. Even a single ice cube cooled to this temperature will freeze a drink in a glass.
Another cool thing is that crystals allow an electric current to flow at these temperatures, so that cars and trains can levitate. What looks like magic is nothing more than physics at low temperatures.
Wednesday, 30 March 2011 16.30 to 17.30 Audimax, Hörsaalzentrum Broadcast dates on local channel Oeins Mon., 2.05.11, 17.00 Wh. Tue, 3.05.11, 17.00 h
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</link> Photos of the lecture