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When two objects are at different temperatures then there would be a flow of heat energy from the object having higher temperature to lower temperature. Thus, heat energy transfer occurs from one object to the other due to the difference in temperature between the two. When two objects are in thermal contact with each other then heat energy flow can occur. However, at thermal equilibrium, the heat energy flow ceases though the two objects are in thermal contact with each other. Thus, thermal equilibrium is a situation in which two objects in thermal contact with each other do not exchange heat energy since the temperature difference of these objects is zero.
Temperature is the property of the objects, which determines whether the objects are in thermal equilibrium or not. Thus, two objects in thermal equilibrium with each other are at same temperature. And, if two objects are at different temperatures, then they are not in thermal equilibrium.
If two bodies are in thermal equilibrium with a third body separately then the first two bodies are also in thermal equilibrium with each other.
Temperature Scales:
There are basically three important scales named as follows: -
(i) Celsius Scale: In this scale the lowest temperature is 0o C (ice point) and the highest temperature is 100oC (steam point).
(ii) Fahrenheit Scale: In this scale the lowest temperature is 32o F (ice point) and the highest temperature is 212oC (steam point).
(iii) Kelvin Scale: In this scale the ice point corresponds to 273.15 K and the steam point corresponds to 373.15 K.
The relationship between the Fahrenheit scale temperature (TF) and Celsius scale temperature (Tc) is given as:
The relationship between the Kelvin scale temperature (T) and Celsius scale temperature (Tc) is given by,
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