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Chapter: 11th Physics : UNIT 8 : Heat and Thermodynamics

Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics

The zeroth law of thermodynamics states that if two systems, A and B, are in thermal equilibrium with a third system, C, then A and B are in thermal equilibrium with each other.

ZEROTH LAW OF THERMODYNAMICS

 

The zeroth law of thermodynamics states that if two systems, A and B, are in thermal equilibrium with a third system, Cthen A and B are in thermal equilibrium with each other.


Consider three systems A, B and C which are initially at different temperatures. Assume that A and B are not in thermal contact with each other as shown in Figure 8.18 (a) but each of them is in thermal contact with a third system C. After a lapse of time, system A will be in thermal equilibrium with C and B also will be in thermal equilibrium with C. In this condition, if the systems A and B are kept in thermal contact as shown in the Figure 8.18 (b), there is no flow of heat between the systems A and B. It implies that the system A and B are also in thermal equilibrium with each other. Once the three systems are at thermal equilibrium, there will be no heat flow between them as they are at the same temperature. This can be mathematically expressed as

If TA = TC and TB = TC, it implies that TA = TB, where TA, TB and TC are the temperatures of the systems A, B, and C respectively.

Temperature is the property which determines whether the system is in thermal equilibrium with other systems or not. Zeroth law enables us to determine the temperature. For example, when a thermometer is kept in contact with a human body, it reaches thermal equilibrium with the body. At this condition, the temperature of the thermometer will be same as the human body. This principle is used in finding the body temperature.

 

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11th Physics : UNIT 8 : Heat and Thermodynamics


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