Superfluid helium lambda point
The superfluid helium lambda point is the temperature at which helium-4 transitions from a normal liquid to a superfluid state.
How big is it?
2.17 K
Also -455.8 °F
Temperature · specified
A little perspective
Superfluid helium lambda point is 0.555 K cooler than Cosmic microwave background.
Cosmic microwave background: The cosmic microwave background is faint thermal radiation filling the universe, left over from the early stages after the Big Bang.
Measurements, assumptions & sources +
Superfluid helium lambda point
A curated superfluid helium lambda point comparison anchor. The representative value and any stated range preserve the backlog measurement convention; operating or experimental conditions can change real observations.
Defined examples — our methodology
The marked temperature is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Cosmic microwave background
The temperature of the nearly blackbody relic radiation. It is not the temperature of every object in space.
The marked temperature is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
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Why this measurement?
Why we use 2.17 K
For comparison, this page uses temperature. The record labels this value specified, so the stated convention rather than an inferred average controls the comparison.
A curated superfluid helium lambda point comparison anchor. The representative value and any stated range preserve the backlog measurement convention; operating or experimental conditions can change real observations.
The identifying illustration and the numerical comparison remain separate. How calibrated comparisons work →
Recorded properties
Superfluid helium lambda point dimensions and measurements
| Property | Selected value | Recorded range | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.17 K | Not recorded | specified |
Around this scale
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These links use compatible temperature records, ordered around the selected value.
Nearest lower value · TemperatureUltracold atom cloud1 × 10⁻⁷ KAn ultracold atom cloud is a collection of atoms cooled to temperatures near absolute zero, used in advanced physics experiments.Around the same scale · TemperatureBoiling helium4.22 KBoiling helium is helium in its liquid state at its normal boiling point under standard atmospheric pressure.
Nearest higher value · TemperatureCosmic microwave background2.725 KThe cosmic microwave background is faint thermal radiation filling the universe, left over from the early stages after the Big Bang.Sources and method
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The source records and measurement method remain available for inspection.
There’s always another scale
Follow your curiosity.
TemperatureCosmic microwave background2.725 KThe cosmic microwave background is faint thermal radiation filling the universe, left over from the early stages after the Big Bang.TemperatureBoiling helium4.22 KBoiling helium is helium in its liquid state at its normal boiling point under standard atmospheric pressure.TemperatureAbsolute zero0 KAbsolute zero is the lowest temperature permitted by thermodynamics, where a system has the least thermal energy available to it.TemperatureUltracold atom cloud1 × 10⁻⁷ KAn ultracold atom cloud is a collection of atoms cooled to temperatures near absolute zero, used in advanced physics experiments.TemperatureBoiling nitrogen77.36 KBoiling nitrogen is nitrogen gas produced when liquid nitrogen is heated at normal atmospheric pressure.TemperatureHydrogen normal boiling point20.27 KHydrogen normal boiling point is the temperature at which hydrogen changes from a liquid to a gas at standard atmospheric pressure.TemperatureNeon normal boiling point27.1 KNeon normal boiling point is the temperature at which neon transitions from liquid to gas under standard atmospheric pressure.TemperatureDry ice sublimation point-78.5 °CThe dry ice sublimation point is the temperature at which solid carbon dioxide turns directly into gas at standard atmospheric pressure.