THERMAL EQUILIBRIUM

A higher temperature object which is in contact with a lower temperature object

will transfer heat to the lower temperature object

The objects will approach the same temperature, and in the absence of loss to other objects, they will then maintain a constant temperature. They

are then said to be in thermal equilibrium. Thermal equilibrium is the subject of the Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics(two systems are at the same time in thermal equilibrium with a third system,

they are in thermal equilibrium)

CONDUCTION is heat transfer by means ofmolecular agitation within a material without any motion of the material as a whole.

CONVECTION is heat transfer by mass motion of a fluid such as air or water when the heated fluid is caused to move away from the source of heat, carrying energy with it.

RADIATION is heat transfer by the emission of electromagnetic waves which carry energy away from the emmiting object.