Question

What is thermal contact?

a) When two objects have the same thermal expansion.

b) When two objects are physically touching.

c) When two objects have different thermal capacities.

d) When two objects have the same thermal conductivity.

Answer 1

Thermal contact occurs when two objects are in such a contact that allows energy transfer by heat, leading to the potential for thermal equilibrium, where both objects reach the same temperature and no heat flows between them.

Step-by-step explanation:

Thermal contact is defined as the condition in which two objects are in contact with each other in such a way that allows the transfer of energy by heat between them. This does not necessarily mean the objects are at the same temperature but rather that energy in the form of heat can move from one object to the other. In contrast, thermal equilibrium is reached when two objects in thermal contact no longer transfer heat between them, meaning they have attained the same temperature.