Cold Definition and 394 Threads

Cold is the presence of low temperature, especially in the atmosphere. In common usage, cold is often a subjective perception. A lower bound to temperature is absolute zero, defined as 0.00 K on the Kelvin scale, an absolute thermodynamic temperature scale. This corresponds to −273.15 °C on the Celsius scale, −459.67 °F on the Fahrenheit scale, and 0.00 °R on the Rankine scale.
Since temperature relates to the thermal energy held by an object or a sample of matter, which is the kinetic energy of the random motion of the particle constituents of matter, an object will have less thermal energy when it is colder and more when it is hotter. If it were possible to cool a system to absolute zero, all motion of the particles in a sample of matter would cease and they would be at complete rest in this classical sense. The object would be described as having zero thermal energy. Microscopically in the description of quantum mechanics, however, matter still has zero-point energy even at absolute zero, because of the uncertainty principle.

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  1. F

    Medical Sick (cold) twice in two weeks wtf?

    How or why would this happen? Did I get two different virus strains? Did my body not finish fighting it off properly the first time?
  2. H

    Why do the eskimo's live in alaska? don't they get cold up there?

    why do the eskimo's live in alaska? don't they get cold up there?
  3. A

    Cold Blooded Animals: Metabolism & Efficiency

    Hi, Cold blooded animals don't produce body heat to keep themselves warm. Why is this? Is their metabolism more efficient (produce more ATP rather than heat)?
  4. E

    How can a diesel engine be protected from extreme cold air conditions?

    We are looking at placing a normally asspirated diesel engine in a few cold climate. The engineroom will normally be heated. When the engine runs there is a ventilation system that will start up and draw outside air and also expel air from the engine room to outside, this is necessary otherwise...
  5. P

    Hot water can cool faster than cold

    Experiments have been done in which one volume of water that is warmer than an identical volume of water freezes faster than the cooler volume.Since ice is an ordered structure compared to liquid water does this mean that the walls of the vessel containing the warmer water are able to interact...
  6. B

    The Benefits of Cold Welding Techniques vs Traditional Methods

    by cold welding i mean diffusion bonding, explosive welding, cold pressure welding etc. in what situations would one use these techniques and what are the benefits of employing them over traditional methods such as arc welding?
  7. Astronuc

    Cold and Cryogenic Treating of Steel

    http://asm.asminternational.org/ht-echarts/3046_OMM120707_figure.pdf
  8. C

    Are Black Holes Cold? - Ask an Astrophysicist

    Hi, new here, my first post. Like many people here, I'm no astrophysist, but I have an active interest in our solar system, cosmology in general and I guess astrophysics. Here's my first question. "Are black holes cold?". Given my amateur understanding, I would say yes, they are near...
  9. daniel_i_l

    Medical Why Does Cold Weather Make My Nose Run?

    How come standing outside in cold weather makes my nose run? Thanks.
  10. wolram

    Does Cold Wet Weather Really Affect Joint Pain?

    Why is it that cold wet weather makes joints stiff and ache, the actual temperature of the joint can not change much can it?
  11. Garth

    Direct Detection of Cold Dark Matter

    An interesting review paper of the search for DM particle(s): Direct Detection of Cold Dark Matter. The search continues. Garth
  12. Ivan Seeking

    Virulent form of cold virus spreads in U.S.

    http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSN1530262620071115?feedType=RSS&feedName=healthNews&rpc=22&sp=true
  13. M

    Why Did My Pub's Cellar Temperature Rise During a Sudden Cold Snap?

    Hi, Something weird happened the other week and I was wondering if anyone here could explain why. I run a pub and our cellar operates at about a steady 11°c all year round (cooler assisted). The other week we were enjoying some pleasant weather for the time of year(16/17°c) then wham! in the...
  14. M

    Solving the Problem of a Cold Room in 16 Minutes

    Homework Statement Imagine you've been walking outside on an cold winter's day. When you arrive home at your studio apartment, you realize that you left a window open and your 5 {\rm m} \times 5 {\rm m} \times 3 {\rm m} room is only slightly warmer than the outside. You turn on your 1-kW space...
  15. G

    Why Do Glow Sticks Shine Brightest When Cold?

    So, I know that freezing them makes them last longer, but I was just curious... why? I've also heard that freezing them makes them glow less bright, and heating makes them brighter. Since its a chemical reaction, that doesn't use or produce heat I don't see how it should matter. Then again, I...
  16. B

    Exploring the Mystery of Space's Cold Temperature

    Heat is the the vibration of molecules in a medium. If this is so, then how is space cold if it is a vacuum. I'm aware that space has very few particles but I don't understand how heat is emitted. I'm guessing that it might have to do with radiation.
  17. G01

    Studying with a Cold: Get Better Now!

    So, I have a cold. I hate colds... Not only do I feel completely under the weather but I have E&M homework to do. The problem is, thanks to the cough syrup, I can't keep a coherent train of thought! I'm going to hand in crap for this assignment! The one problem I started I working out a...
  18. B

    Cold Dark Matter: Bottom-Up vs. Top-Down Structure Formation

    Why does cold dark matter imply a bottom-up scenario of structure formation? and why does hot dark matter imply a top-down scenario of structure formation? is it simply because cold dark matter is slow moving (non-relativistic) and slow moving things are more likely to clump together to form...
  19. daniel_i_l

    Hot Water Feeling Cold: A Neuroscientific Explanation

    If you suddenly put your hand into very hot water it feels cold (or atleast, it's hard to tell if it's hot or cold) for the first second. Why is this so? Thanks.
  20. kach22i

    The Cold Jet (ducted fan/propeller)

    I had an idea once which I'd like to go into a little. It involves how a fan or propeller draws in air verses only providing thrust. The idea is/was to cut down on aerodynamic drag and resistance a propeller imposes once the craft is up to speed. By having a remote fan/propeller air intake...
  21. A

    Change Heat to Cold? High School Student Guide

    hi i'm a high school student. is there any way to change the heat, directly to cold?
  22. R

    Cold? sun light untill it interacts with oxygen

    Hello everyone, I've been on Electrical Engineering for a little while but new to this aspect of science. I'm not sure of course but when sunlight travels through space, would it be the approximate temperature of its' surrounding area, pretty cool? And when it hits our oxygenated atmosphere...
  23. R

    The Mystery of Cold Air Travel: Light vs. Heat

    How does cold air travel? Isn't it like me flashing darkness at your face? Because cold is the absence of heat as darkness is absence of light. It's like nothing traveling. I know it's confusing.:confused:
  24. R

    Why is air always cold when it moves at high speeds?

    Why is it that air going at a high rate of speed always cold? For example, fans throws air at high speed and it's cold and when we, human blow air fast is always cold. WHY?
  25. O

    My air conditioning doesn't cold

    Hello everybody! i have a dodge neon 97 and i want to know how much pressure (PSI) receive the charge suction of the air conditioner compressor system? because i wan't to put the gas refrigerant recharge by myself
  26. K

    Which Statements about Cold and Hot Dark Matter are Incorrect?

    I will be writing my final exam tomorrow evening, and I am currently stuck on the following practice problem. It would be very nice if someone could help me out and I will remain eternally grateful for your help! 1) (Multiple Choice) Which of the following statement(s) about Cold Dark Matter...
  27. Ivan Seeking

    Is Cold Fusion Making a Comeback?

    http://www.springerlink.com/content/75p4572645025112/
  28. B

    Why does hot water visually separate from cold?

    Hey guys, I'm new to these forums so I'm hoping i have posted this question in the appropriate thread. Recently, i noticed the electric heater in my fish tank had a volume of water around it all times which was rising, it made sense to me that the water surrounding the heater would be rising...
  29. R

    Can a Cold Virus Affect Your Back?

    Is it possible to have a cold virus in your back or affect your back. I recently had a very bad cold and now my lower back is killing me. My mom says you can have a cold in your back. Is this an old wives tale?
  30. N

    Help me design my carputer to work in the cold (advice on building a heater)

    Help me design my "carputer" to work in the cold (advice on building a heater) Hello. You guys seem to be a knowledgeable bunch, so I thought maybe I'll post thing. My problem is that I custom built a computer to run in my car and I really need some help. I live in Calgary, Canada where in...
  31. P

    What's the Difference Between Cold and Hot Transitions of Light?

    Can someone briefly explain the definition or the difference between a cold and hot transition of light? Hot transition involves a change in an atoms vibration and standing wave patterns from absorbtion of higher frequency, such as skin sunburn from long exposures to ultraviolet light or...
  32. Pythagorean

    Freezing Cold Energy: Building a Sterling Engine

    I don't pay my electricity bill so if I build a sterling engine going out into the -40 degree weather...
  33. R

    Settling the Hot vs Cold Water Debate: Exploring a Logical Explanation

    1. A woman informs her engineer husband that "hot water will freeze faster than cold water". He calls this statement nonsense. She answers by saying that she had actually timed the freezing process for ice trays in the home refrigerator and found that the hot water does indeed freeze faster. As...
  34. J

    Easy Cold Fusion: Build Your Own Electricity

    Does anyone know of some easy to build cold fusion? I’m seeking to generate electricity
  35. S

    Extremely Cold Winters and Global Warming

    Currently where I live, we are experiencing very cold winters (average temperature during the day is about 35 degrees Fahrenheit). Last summer was also a surprise where the average temperature was about 105 degrees Fahrenheit. I know that the latter event might be a cause of Global warming...
  36. P

    How does an ice pack reduce swelling and promote healing in injured areas?

    It is common to see children when hurt while playing given ice packs to the injured area. Why is this coldness good? Does it numb the injured area so sensory signals less frequently reach the central nervous system? Also dry ice such as CO2 is able to 'burn' skin because of its very low...
  37. C

    Cold Weather Convection: Does Warm Water Rise or Fall?

    Does warm water rise or fall in cold weather? I think it falls Does it have to do with convection??
  38. H

    Chill Beer to 22F Without Freezing: Physics Explained

    I'm not a physics guy. I'm not even sure that that this is the right forum, but "solid state" sounded appropriate. Here is a link to a beer refrigerator that will chill beer to 22 F without freezing. http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/061107/cgtu049.html?.v=73 My question is how this is possible...
  39. D

    Freezing a cold bottle of water by slamming it?

    Heyas. Recently my brother showed me a trick with a plastic bottle of very cold water. It was out of the freezer, pretty cold, but not frozen. He took the bottle and slammed it against the counter and the bottle froze up. I'm at a loss for explaining why this happens.. The only thing I can...
  40. S

    Electrons being fired at cold atomic hydrogen

    Electrons are accelerated through a potential V into a cloud of cold atomic hydrogen. A series of plates with aligned holes select a beam of scattered electrons moving perpendicular to the plates. Immediately beyond the final plate, the electrons enter a uniform magnetic field B perpendicular to...
  41. ZapperZ

    VOTE - You're So Cold, You're So Cold

    VOTE - You're So Cold, You're So Cold! Another contest, and another collection of terrific pictures. Keep in mind before you cast your vote that the theme of this contest is to depict a picture that leaves you cold, that gives you the chills, etc. You should not vote for just a "pretty" or...
  42. ZapperZ

    Photo Contest - You're So Cold, You're So Cold (8/9-8/15)

    You're So Cold, You're So Cold! A few weeks ago we had a photo contest to depict the epitome of summer. This time, we go the opposite direction. The photo contest this week requires a photo which (i) makes you feel cold, (ii) leaves you with a cold feeling, or (iii) gives you the chills! So...
  43. P

    The Mpemba Effect: Hot Water Freezing Faster Than Cold

    The Mpemba effect is about the phenomena of hot water freezing faster than cold water. Does anyone know how to pronounce Mpemba?
  44. T

    Water friction in pipes, hot vs cold?

    I usually use an average number of 2 kPa friction loss for normal tap water in pipes. Does anyone know if this number changes significantly up or down for water which is around 80 degrees C instead of 5?
  45. Cyrus

    Revenge is a dish best served cold

    Well, read the paper today. Ken Lay died of a heart attack. This guy ruined so many peoples lives (mostly older people's life savings who lost it all), that I could care less about his death. The way I see it, he saved the people he screwed from loosing more of their money to house...
  46. Mallignamius

    Direction of heat? Hot to cold Please explain.

    Direction of heat? "Hot to cold..." Please explain. During a college prep class last year, my physics teacher said something about the direction of heat. He asked a student, "Which direction does heat go? From hot to cold, or cold to hot?" I'm pretty sure that's what he asked. I wish I had...
  47. D

    Comparing Schools: US vs Canada - Cold Winters & Low Fees!

    is chicago state university better than washington ? Except Wahington, Chicago, what good schools near the border, cold in winter, cool in summer you can introduce? I also want to know why school fee in Canada is cheaper than US, what do shcools in US offer better compare to Canadas ? The...
  48. P

    Flu vs Catch a Cold: Symptoms & Differences

    Hello, Could someone tell me the difference between the infection of a virus (or bacteria...) and to catch a cold? Do we have the same symptoms? In case we catch a cold why do these symptoms occur?
  49. S

    Why does a metal door knob feel colder that a wooden one on a cold day?

    I disagreed to the responce my teacher gave to this question "Why does a metal door knob feel colder that a wooden one on a cold day?" He said it was because the metal one has a lower specific heat, and the wooden one has a higher specific heat. He gave the example of tile and carpet on...
  50. fargoth

    Exploring Cold Fusion: Is it Reliable?

    well, i stumbled across this link: http://jlnlabs.imars.com/cfr/index.htm it seems unbelievable that something is really happening in there... then i started looking around the net to see what other people think: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cold_fusion...
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