Final answer:
False, Thermal equilibrium is when two objects are at the same temperature and do not transfer heat to each other, contradicting the belief that it occurs during the transfer of temperatures.
Step-by-step explanation:
Thermal equilibrium is the condition in which two objects in close contact do not transfer energy by heat to each other because they are at the same temperature. When two objects are at different temperatures and in contact, heat transfer will occur from the higher-temperature object to the lower-temperature object until they reach the same temperature; only then will they be in thermal equilibrium. An important aspect of this concept is the Zeroth law of thermodynamics, which implies that if two systems are each in thermal equilibrium with a third system, they are in thermal equilibrium with each other. This principle is fundamental to the operation of thermometers, which depend on reaching thermal equilibrium with the object being measured to accurately display its temperature.