Summary

This article discusses the extremes of temperature found both on Earth and in the cosmos, ranging from the highest recorded temperature in the Lut Desert to the lowest near absolute zero, and reflects on the significance of Earth's moderate climate for life.

Abstract

The article "Do We Understand Hot and Cold?" provides a brief exploration of temperature extremes, noting that the highest recorded surface temperature on Earth was an astonishing 70 degrees Celsius in Iran's Lut Desert. It contrasts this with the average temperature on Venus, the hottest planet in our Solar System, which is 462 degrees Celsius. The text also touches on the core of the sun and the even more extreme temperatures achieved in particle collider experiments, as well as the unfathomably high temperatures thought to have existed just after the Big Bang. On the cold end of the spectrum, the article mentions the typical temperatures of household refrigerators and freezers, the record low on Earth at the Soviet Vostok Station in Antarctica, and the frigid conditions on Pluto. It introduces the concept of absolute zero, the theoretical limit of cold, where particle motion ceases. The narrative emphasizes Earth's unique position in the Goldilocks zone, allowing for water's existence in all three states, which is crucial for life. The author, Andra Forbes, shares a personal note about their long-standing interest in the universe and life, ensuring the accuracy of the information presented and inviting readers to explore more of their writings on Medium.

Opinions

The author suggests that the highest temperature ever recorded on Earth's surface was in the Lut Desert, Iran, reaching 70 degrees Celsius.
The article implies that the average temperature on Venus, being 462 degrees Celsius, is extraordinarily high compared to Earth's climate.
The author expresses a sense of wonder at the extreme temperatures achieved in scientific experiments, such as the 5.5 trillion degrees Celsius at the Large Hadron Collider.
The text conveys the author's fascination with the temperature extremes in the universe, from the core of the sun to the aftermath of the Big Bang.
The author reflects on the importance of Earth's moderate temperature, which allows for the existence of water in three states, as being crucial for life.
The author humbly acknowledges not being an astronomer, cosmologist, or biologist but assures the reader of the article's accuracy to the best of their knowledge.
Andra Forbes encourages readers to explore their other articles on Medium, indicating a passion for sharing knowledge about the universe and life in an accessible manner.

Do We Understand Hot and Cold?

We often have conversations about the weather, regarding how cold or how hot it is going to be — this short article on temperature might interest you.

British spelling.

Arguably, the highest recorded temperature on the surface of our planet was in the Lut Desert of Iran, at an unbelievable 70 degrees Celsius.

When we fry potato chips, the oil can reach 180 degrees Celsius, which to us seems very hot.

The average temperature on Venus, the hottest planet in the Solar System, is 462 degrees Celsius.

The core of the sun can reach 15 million degrees Celsius, but even that temperature is very low compared to the higher temperature scale.

An experiment at the Large Hadron Collider recorded a temperature of 5.5 trillion degrees Celsius; a trillion is 1 followed by 12 zeros!

But the highest temperature is thought to have occurred a split second after the creation of the universe, which we sometimes call the Big Bang. That was way back, 13.8 billion years ago.

But of course, we also use the word cold.

The temperature inside our domestic refrigerators is 3 or 4 degrees Celsius; the temperature inside our domestic freezers should be roughly -18 degrees Celsius.

Arguably the lowest recorded temperature on the surface of our planet was at the Soviet Vostok Station, Antarctica, at a very cold -89.2 degrees Celsius.

But it can get a lot colder in the far reaches of outer space. The dwarf planet Pluto is much farther away from the Sun than any of the planets in the Solar System.

At its farthest point, it can be almost 50 astronomical units, which is 50 times the distance between the Sun and the Earth. That massive distance from the Sun is the reason Pluto’s surface temperature can be as low as -240 degrees Celsius.

That very low temperature doesn’t end there — absolute zero is the lowest temperature possible at -273.15 degrees Celsius or -459.67 degrees Fahrenheit.

Absolute zero is the lowest limit of the thermodynamic temperature scale, which is when all particles stop moving.

Our magical planet has an average temperature of 16 degrees Celsius, which means that water can be in three states: solid, liquid, and gas, perfect for the existence of life as we know it.

Our orbit around the sun is called the Goldilocks zone; if the earth were closer to the sun, the water would boil away; if it were farther from the sun, the water would be frozen solid.

Consider yourself very special and unique; the odds against your existence are astronomical and very close to zero.

The end

To be honest, I am not an astronomer, cosmologist, or biologist, but my interest in the universe and life goes back many years. The information in my articles is, to the best of my knowledge, accurate.

You may find some of my easy-to-understand stories about the universe and life interesting and educational. Enjoy

Andra Forbes - Medium

Read writing from Andra Forbes on Medium. I hope you enjoy my articles regarding the Universe and life, some of them…

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