Helium is known for its ability to make balloons float, but did you know it has a truly mind-bending property? At an incredibly frigid temperature of around -271 degrees Celsius, helium transforms into a superfluid.
A superfluid defies the usual laws of physics. It flows without any resistance whatsoever, gliding effortlessly through even the tiniest cracks. Imagine a liquid that can climb the walls of a container or seep through the tiniest gaps – that’s the strange behavior of superfluid helium.
This state of matter is a fascinating example of quantum mechanics in action. At such low temperatures, the normally independent helium atoms lose their distinct identities and behave like a single, giant wave. This wave-like behavior is what allows them to flow with zero resistance.
Superfluid helium is a rare and remarkable phenomenon, pushing the boundaries of our understanding of the universe.
Prompt:
A material exists that becomes superfluid at extremely low temperatures, flowing without any resistance whatsoever. What is this substance and what makes its behavior so extraordinary?