Question:
I know that an absolute zero is suppose to exist. Is there
a maximum temp on the other end of the scale. It seems that at a certain
temperature the increasing velocity and collision of molecules would
result in combustion.
Replies:
It is certainly true that increasing the temperature will eventually cause
combustion but this does not limit the temperature -- it just indicates the
limit of the temperatures that a particular combination of materials can
withstand.
The only limitation to the upper end of the temperature scale would be the
limitation of the available energy.
Dr. Bradburn
There is no maximum temperature. Temperature is a measure of the average
kinetic energy of particles, which can be no less than zero (hence absolute
zero), but there is no upper limit.
It is true that at high enough temperatures, things like molecules and even
atoms will fly apart into their constituents. That does not mean that the
pieces can't still move even faster. So any given material may not endure
at high temperatures, but that does not at all mean that even higher
temperatures aren't possible.
Richard E. Barrans Jr., Ph.D.
Assistant Director
PG Research Foundation, Darien, Illinois
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