Two systems are said to be in thermal equilibrium if and only if:a)the...
- Two physical systems are said to be in thermal equilibrium when there is no net flow of thermal energy when they are connected to each other in an isolated system.
- The "zeroth law" states that if two systems are at the same time in thermal equilibrium with a third system, then they are in thermal equilibrium with each other.
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Two systems are said to be in thermal equilibrium if and only if:a)the...
Thermal Equilibrium
Thermal equilibrium refers to a state in which two or more systems are in contact with each other and there is no net flow of heat between them. In other words, the temperatures of the systems in thermal equilibrium are equal.
Options Explained
a) There can be a heat flow between them even if they are at different temperatures.
This statement is incorrect because if two systems are at different temperatures, there will always be a heat flow from the system with higher temperature to the system with lower temperature until they reach thermal equilibrium.
b) There cannot be a heat flow between them even if they are at different temperatures.
This statement is also incorrect because if two systems are at different temperatures, heat will flow from the system with higher temperature to the system with lower temperature until they reach thermal equilibrium.
c) There is no heat flow between them.
This statement is correct. In thermal equilibrium, there is no net flow of heat between the systems. Although the systems may be at different temperatures, any heat transfer between them is balanced, resulting in no overall heat flow.
d) Their temperatures are slightly different.
This statement is incorrect because thermal equilibrium occurs when the temperatures of the systems are equal, not just slightly different.
Conclusion
The correct answer is option 'c' - there is no heat flow between the systems. In thermal equilibrium, the temperatures of the systems are equal, and any heat transfer between them is balanced, resulting in no overall heat flow.