9702 · 14.1
Thermal equilibrium
Cambridge 9702 Paper 4 — Thermal equilibrium (14.1). Senpai Corner diagram-backed pilot with premium structure and live visuals.
Need to know
What you need to know
- **Thermal Equilibrium**: A state where there is no net flow of thermal energy between objects in thermal contact. They are at the same temperature.
- **Temperature vs. Heat**: Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of particles in a substance. Heat (or thermal energy) is the energy transferred from a hotter region to a colder region.
- **Zeroth Law**: If A is in equilibrium with C, and B is in equilibrium with C, then A is in equilibrium with B. This is the basis for using thermometers.
- **Internal Energy**: The sum of the random kinetic and potential energies of the particles in a system.
Explanation
Thermal equilibrium
- **Thermal Equilibrium**: A state where there is no net flow of thermal energy between objects in thermal contact. They are at the same temperature.
- **Temperature vs. Heat**: Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of particles in a substance. Heat (or thermal energy) is the energy transferred from a hotter region to a colder region.
- **Zeroth Law**: If A is in equilibrium with C, and B is in equilibrium with C, then A is in equilibrium with B. This is the basis for using thermometers.
- **Internal Energy**: The sum of the random kinetic and potential energies of the particles in a system.