Question

Which option BEST explains how thermal equilibrium interacts with heat transfer between particles?

a

Thermal equilibrium stops the transfer of energy in just one direction when both objects reach the same temperature, but allows their particles to continue transferring that energy back and forth.

b

Thermal equilibrium always transfers energy from the hotter object to the colder one, and increases the energy and speed of moving particles in both objects as the temperature decreases.

c

Thermal equilibrium helps the transfer of energy between the particles of some materials better than others, but always stops the transfer of energy in materials like plastic and wood.

d

Thermal equilibrium quickly transfers energy back to the particles of the object that was originally hotter, and requires that the particles in both objects have reached equal energy and density.

Answer 1

Thermal equilibrium stops the transfer of energy in just one direction when both objects reach the same temperature, but allows their particles to continue transferring that energy back and forth.

Step-by-step explanation:

a. The transfer of energy occurs until both objects reach thermal equilibrium. But particles are always moving and crashing with each other. TRUE.

b. The heat transfer occurs from the hotter object to the colder one but moving of particles descreases with temperature decreasing. FALSE.

c. Plastic and wood have a poor quality to transfer energy but there is no material that "stops" perfectly the transfer of energy. FALSE.

d. The heat is transferred from the particles of the hotter object to the particles of the colder one. FALSE