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kesavan
Sep 20, 2010, 09:51 AM
Is it possible for two objects to be in thermal equlibrium if they are not in contact with each other?

Unknown008
Sep 20, 2010, 10:08 AM
According to this wikipedia article, they must be in contact.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermodynamic_equilibrium#Thermal_equilibrium

So, it implies that it is not possible to have two bodies in thermal equilibrium unless they are in contact.

EDIT: Forgot the link, sorry :o

ebaines
Sep 20, 2010, 10:30 AM
I disagree - two bodies can exchange heat without being in physical contact wiith each other, through radiation and/or convection.

EDIT: to be clear, to be in thermal equilibrium two objects must be in thermal contact, meaning they can exchange energy via heat. But this does not mean that they must be in direct physical contact.