Two bodies at different temperatures T1 and T2, if brought in thermal contact do not necessarily settle to the mean temperature (T1 + T2)/2 ?

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When two bodies at different temperatures, T1 and T2, are brought into thermal contact, the energy exchange between them causes heat to flow from the body with higher temperature to the one with lower temperature. This process continues until thermal equilibrium is reached, where both bodies attain the same temperature.

However, it's important to note that the final equilibrium temperature may not necessarily be the arithmetic mean of the initial temperatures (T1 + T2)/2. This is because the rate at which heat is transferred depends on various factors such as the nature of the materials, their specific heat capacities, surface area, and the efficiency of thermal conduction between them.

In some cases, if one body has a significantly higher thermal conductivity or a larger heat capacity than the other, the final equilibrium temperature may be closer to the initial temperature of the body with the higher capacity to store or conduct heat.

Therefore, while the concept of thermal equilibrium dictates that heat will flow until both bodies reach the same temperature, the specific conditions and properties of the materials involved can lead to variations from the simple arithmetic mean. This aspect makes studying thermal dynamics both fascinating and nuanced for students. If you're interested in exploring this topic further or need more clarification, feel free to reach out for a detailed discussion or tutoring session through UrbanPro!