At absolute zero, what happens to molecular vibrational motion?

At absolute zero, which is defined as 0 Kelvin or -273.15 degrees Celsius, molecular vibrational motion ceases. This is because absolute zero represents the lowest theoretically attainable temperature, where particles possess minimum thermal energy. At this point, the energy associated with molecular motion is so low that molecular vibrations contract to a state of complete inactivity.

At temperatures above absolute zero, molecules vibrate due to thermal energy, but as the temperature approaches zero, these vibrational energies diminish until they effectively stop. Thus, at absolute zero, the vibrational motion of molecules ceases altogether, leading to a state where the particles are in their lowest energy configuration.

The other options, while relevant to various scientific principles, do not pertain directly to the state of molecular vibrational motion at absolute zero. Water turning into ice, for example, is a phase transition that occurs at higher temperatures. Atmospheric pressure relates to the behavior of gases, and while heat transfer principles change significantly at extremely low temperatures, it does not become impossible. Therefore, the chosen answer correctly captures the nature of molecular motion at absolute zero.