Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Definition
If two systems are each in thermal equilibrium with a third system, then they are in thermal equilibrium with each other.
Related terms
First Law of Thermodynamics: Energy can neither be created nor destroyed, only transferred or changed from one form to another. Like trading cards - you don't lose or gain any, just swap them around!
The total entropy (disorder) of an isolated system can never decrease over time. It's like your room getting messier as time goes by unless someone cleans it up.
Third Law of Thermodynamics: As temperature approaches absolute zero, the entropy of a system approaches a minimum value. Imagine trying to slow down dancers at your party until they stop moving completely - that's absolute zero!