HC Verma: Concepts of Physics - Volume 2 Heat and Temperature Pages 11-12: Q1 Solution: A system is neither in thermal equilibrium with nor with . The…

QPages 11-12: Q1: HC Verma: Concepts of Physics - Volume 2 Heat and Temperature Pages 11-12: Q1 Solution: A system is neither in thermal equilibrium with nor with . The…

⚠️ Common Exam Traps & Conceptual Pitfalls

Students often assume thermal equilibrium is transitive, concluding that if X is not in equilibrium with Y and also not with Z then Y and Z cannot be in equilibrium. Remember that equilibrium is a pairwise relation; the status of Y–Z must be judged independently of X.

A system

X

is neither in thermal equilibrium with

Y

nor with

Z

. The systems

Y

and

Z

Multiple Choice Options

A a) must be in thermal equilibrium,�
B b) cannot be in thermal equilibrium,�
C c) may be in thermal equilibrium,�
D d) none of these

Step-by-Step Verified Solution

**Answer:** (c) may be in thermal equilibrium. **Step-by-Step Explanation:** Thermal equilibrium is not transitive in the sense described. If X is not in equilibrium with Y, and X is not in equilibrium with Z, then Y and Z may or may not be in equilibrium with each other. There is no constraint linking Y and Z through X.

QPages 11-12: Q1: HC Verma: Concepts of Physics - Volume 2 Heat and Temperature Pages 11-12: Q1 Solution: A system is neither in thermal equilibrium with nor with . The…

Multiple Choice Options

Step-by-Step Verified Solution

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