Who was recognized for founding the concept of absolute zero?

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The concept of absolute zero, which is defined as the point at which the motion of atoms theoretically comes to a complete stop, is closely associated with the work of Lord William Thomson, known as Lord Kelvin. He was instrumental in developing the Kelvin scale of temperature, which starts at absolute zero. Thomson proposed that this temperature was unattainable but provided a theoretical framework that helped to understand the behavior of gases at very low temperatures.

Thomson’s efforts in thermodynamics and his formulation of the Kelvin scale were significant in establishing a standard for measuring temperature that was grounded in physical principles, indicating that all molecular motion ceases at absolute zero. His work laid the foundation for much of modern physics and thermodynamics concerning temperature and energy.

Other figures mentioned in the choices made vital contributions to thermodynamics but are not directly credited with the founding of the absolute zero concept. Galileo Galilei contributed to thermometry and the development of thermometers, Ludwig Boltzmann was known for his work in statistical mechanics, and James Joule is recognized for his contributions to the first law of thermodynamics and the mechanical equivalent of heat. However, it is Lord Kelvin's work that specifically articulates and defines the concept of absolute zero in the context of thermodynamic theory.

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