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Related Concept Videos

The Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics01:14

The Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics

Systems in mechanical equilibrium exert equal pressure on the separating wall. Similarly, systems in thermal equilibrium share a common thermodynamic property: temperature.Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of particles within a system. More generally, it reflects the internal energy state of the system. The higher the temperature, the more energy a system has, given that other variables, such as volume and pressure, remain constant. However, temperature is not a form of...
Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics01:14

Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics

Experimentally, if object A is in equilibrium with object B, and object B is in equilibrium with object C, then object A is in equilibrium with object C. That statement of transitivity is called the "zeroth law of thermodynamics." For example, a cold metal block and a hot metal block are both placed on a metal plate at room temperature. Eventually, the cold block and the plate will be in thermal equilibrium. In addition, the hot block and the plate will be in thermal equilibrium. By the zeroth...
Second Law of Thermodynamics02:49

Second Law of Thermodynamics

In the quest to identify a property that may reliably predict the spontaneity of a process, a promising candidate has been identified: entropy. Processes that involve an increase in entropy of the system (ΔS > 0) are very often spontaneous; however, examples to the contrary are plentiful. By expanding consideration of entropy changes to include the surroundings, a significant conclusion regarding the relation between this property and spontaneity may be reached. In thermodynamic models, the...
Second Law of Thermodynamics00:53

Second Law of Thermodynamics

The Second Law of Thermodynamics states that entropy, or the amount of disorder in a system, increases each time energy is transferred or transformed. Each energy transfer results in a certain amount of energy that is lost—usually in the form of heat—that increases the disorder of the surroundings. This can also be demonstrated in a classic food web. Herbivores harvest chemical energy from plants and release heat and carbon dioxide into the environment. Carnivores harvest the chemical energy...
Temperature and Thermal Equilibrium01:11

Temperature and Thermal Equilibrium

Heat and temperature are essential concepts for everyone every day. The study of heat and temperature is part of an area of physics known as thermodynamics. It is not always easy to distinguish heat and temperature.
The concept of temperature has evolved from the common concepts of hot and cold. The scientific definition of temperature explains more than just our sense of hot and cold. Temperature is operationally defined as the quantity measured with a thermometer. Furthermore, temperature is...
Equilibrium Conditions for a Particle01:23

Equilibrium Conditions for a Particle

When an object is in equilibrium, it is either at rest or moving with a constant velocity. There are two types of equilibrium: static and dynamic. Static equilibrium occurs when an object is at rest, while dynamic equilibrium occurs when an object is moving with a constant velocity. In both cases, there must be a balance of forces acting on the object.
To understand the concept of equilibrium, let us first consider the forces acting on an object. When different forces act on an object, they can...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 21, 2026

An Analog Macroscopic Technique for Studying Molecular Hydrodynamic Processes in Dense Gases and Liquids
11:03

An Analog Macroscopic Technique for Studying Molecular Hydrodynamic Processes in Dense Gases and Liquids

Published on: December 4, 2017

Quantum mechanical evolution towards thermal equilibrium.

Noah Linden1, Sandu Popescu, Anthony J Short

  • 1Department of Mathematics, University of Bristol, University Walk, Bristol BS8 1TW, United Kingdom.

Physical Review. E, Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics
|August 8, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Quantum systems universally reach thermal equilibrium when interacting with a large bath. This equilibrium state is independent of the bath's specific microstate, offering broad insights into thermodynamics and statistical mechanics.

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Generation and Coherent Control of Pulsed Quantum Frequency Combs
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Generation and Coherent Control of Pulsed Quantum Frequency Combs

Published on: June 8, 2018

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Last Updated: Jun 21, 2026

An Analog Macroscopic Technique for Studying Molecular Hydrodynamic Processes in Dense Gases and Liquids
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An Analog Macroscopic Technique for Studying Molecular Hydrodynamic Processes in Dense Gases and Liquids

Published on: December 4, 2017

Generation and Coherent Control of Pulsed Quantum Frequency Combs
06:42

Generation and Coherent Control of Pulsed Quantum Frequency Combs

Published on: June 8, 2018

Area of Science:

  • Thermodynamics
  • Statistical Mechanics
  • Quantum Systems

Background:

  • The fundamental question of how systems reach thermal equilibrium from basic dynamical laws remains a central challenge in thermodynamics and statistical mechanics.
  • Despite significant advancements, a universally applicable proof for equilibration under general conditions has been elusive.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To address the general problem of equilibration in quantum systems.
  • To prove that reaching equilibrium is a universal property of quantum systems interacting with a sufficiently large environment.

Main Methods:

  • The study employs theoretical analysis based on fundamental dynamical laws.
  • Mathematical proofs are used to demonstrate the universality of equilibration for quantum subsystems coupled to a bath.

Main Results:

  • It is proven that almost any quantum subsystem, when interacting with a large enough bath, will reach a state of thermal equilibrium.
  • The system is shown to remain close to this equilibrium state for almost all times.
  • The equilibrium state is demonstrated to be independent of the specific microstate of the bath, highlighting a general property of thermalization.

Conclusions:

  • Equilibration is a universal phenomenon in quantum systems, irrespective of the specific initial conditions or the detailed microstate of the environment.
  • The findings provide a robust theoretical foundation for understanding thermalization in diverse quantum settings.