Question

If the temperature was 0 °C and then there was a temperature change of 5 °C, what temperature change would return the temperature to 0 °C?

Answer 1

To return to the initial temperature of 0 °C after a +5 °C change, you would need a -5 °C change.

Step-by-step explanation:

If the temperature was initially at 0 °C and it changed by +5 °C, the temperature would become 5 °C. To return the temperature to 0 °C, you would need a temperature change of -5 °C. This is because a negative temperature change of the same magnitude as the initial positive change would reverse the effect. This concept is aligned with basic principles of thermal equilibrium in which systems are considered to be in thermal equilibrium when they return to the same temperature, adhering to the zeroth law of thermodynamics.

Answer 2

To return to the initial temperature of 0 °C from 5 °C, the temperature must decrease by 5 °C, demonstrating thermal equilibrium as per the zeroth law of thermodynamics.

Step-by-step explanation:

If the temperature was initially 0 °C and then underwent a temperature change of 5 °C, the temperature would be 5 °C above the initial temperature. To return to the original temperature of 0 °C, the temperature would need to decrease by 5 °C. Temperature changes in the opposite direction of equal magnitude will bring a system back to its initial temperature, demonstrating a key concept of thermal equilibrium according to the zeroth law of thermodynamics. This law implies that when objects are in thermal contact, they will exchange heat until reaching the same temperature, or thermal equilibrium.