Answer to Question #161743 in Physics for Rahila

Question

Why the zero point energy of a quantum oscillator is not zero?

Answer 1

The answer is simple: because the lowest allowed harmonic oscillator energy is

$$E_0=\frac{\omega\hbar}{2}.$$

We deal with quantum world. In classical representation, however, the zero point energy could be zero, but atoms or molecules can't stop their oscillation.