STEM / INTERACTIVE MODEL 01
Thermal equilibrium
Two equal-mass samples of water exchange thermal energy in a perfectly insulated container. Adjust their starting temperatures, then release the simulation.
A80.0°C
HEAT →ENERGY TRANSFER
B20.0°C
Equilibrium temperature50.0°C
Ready. Heat flows from warmer water to cooler water.
What this model assumes
Both samples have the same mass and specific heat capacity. There is no heat loss to the surroundings or container. Their common equilibrium temperature is therefore the arithmetic mean of the starting temperatures. Animation speed is illustrative, not a calibrated experimental timescale.
Tfinal = (TA,initial + TB,initial)/2