But it's so freaking hot!
Classical Mechanics
Level
3
What is the temperature, in Celsius, of the hottest possible substance? Submit 31415 if you think it is infinite.
The answer is -273.15.
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1 solution
Contrary to popular belief, temperatures can fall below absolute zero. When a temperature is negative on the Kelvin scale, the substance becomes hotter than any substance with positive temperature. As the temperature approaches absolute zero from the negative side, the substance becomes hotter, so the hottest substance must have a temperature infinitesimally close to, but below, absolute zero.