According to the kinetic molecular theory, what happens to molecular motion at absolute zero?

Molecular motion at absolute zero is profoundly significant in understanding the kinetic molecular theory. Absolute zero is the theoretical temperature at which a system's entropy reaches its minimum value and is designated as 0 Kelvin or -273.15 degrees Celsius. At this temperature, the kinetic energy of particles is at its lowest possible level.

According to the kinetic molecular theory, molecules are in constant motion, and this motion is directly related to temperature; as temperature decreases, molecular motion slows down. At absolute zero, the theory posits that this motion effectively ceases completely, as the energy available to push the molecules into motion is nonexistent. This means that the particles are at their lowest energy state and cannot move unless energy is added to the system.

Understanding this principle is crucial for fields like physics and chemistry, particularly when discussing states of matter and their properties at extreme temperatures.