Planck temperature

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Planck temperature, denoted by TP, is the unit of temperature in the system of natural units known as Planck units.

It serves as the defining unit of the Planck temperature scale. In this scale the magnitude of the Planck temperature is equal to 1, while that of absolute zero is 0. Other temperatures can be converted to Planck temperature units. For example, 0 °C = 273.15 K = 1.9279 × 10−30TP.

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Definition [edit]

The Planck temperature is defined as:

T_\text{P} = \frac{m_\text{P} c^2}{k} = \sqrt{\frac{\hbar c^5}{G k^2}} = 1.416833(85) × 1032 K / - where:

The two digits between the parentheses are used to denote the standard error of the last two digits of the estimated value.[1]

Significance [edit]

As for most of Planck units, a Planck temperature of 1 (unity) is a fundamental limit of quantum theory, in combination with gravitation, as presently understood. At temperatures greater than or equal to TP, current physical theory breaks down because we lack a theory of quantum gravity.[2]

See also [edit]

Notes [edit]

  1. ^ "CODATA Value: Planck temperature". The NIST Reference on Constants, Units, and Uncertainty. NIST. Retrieved 2011-10-12. 
  2. ^ Nova: Absolute Hot

External links [edit]