Thermal equilibrium

Thermal equilibrium occurs when two objects in contact exchange heat until they reach the same temperature and no further net transfer occurs. This state indicates that the thermal energy flow between the objects has balanced out. For example, when hot and cold water are poured together and mixed thoroughly, they eventually stabilize at a uniform temperature. This concept is fundamental in thermodynamics, illustrating how systems naturally tend toward balance of thermal energy, and ensures predictable behavior of heat in physical processes.