High School Physics : Understanding the Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Understanding The Zeroth Law Of Thermodynamics
Three substances are added to a mug to make coffee: the coffee, which is 
None of these conclusions are valid
Heat will be transferred from the sugar to the coffee to reach equilibrium
The sugar is 
The sugar is in equilibrium with the milk, based on the zeroth law of thermodynamics
Heat will be transferred from the coffee to the sugar to reach equilibrium
The sugar is in equilibrium with the milk, based on the zeroth law of thermodynamics
The zeroth law of thermodynamics states that if two objects are in thermodynamic equilibrium with a third object, then they must be in thermodynamic equilibrium with each other. In this question, the coffee is in equilibrium with both the milk and the sugar, allowing us to conclude that the milk and sugar must be in equilibrium with each other.
The second law of thermodynamics states that the entropy of the universe is always increasing, and is not relevant to this particular scenario.
Example Question #2 : Understanding The Zeroth Law Of Thermodynamics
System A is in equilibrium with system C.
System B is in equilibrium with system C.
System A is in equilibrium with system B according to which law of thermodynamics?
The zeroth law of thermodynamics
The third law of thermodynamics
The universal law of thermodynamics
The first law of thermodynamics
The second law of thermodynamics
The zeroth law of thermodynamics
The zeroth law of thermodynamics states that if two separate systems are in equilibrium with a third system, then they are in equilibrium with each other. The zeroth law of thermodynamics is essentially equivalent to the transitive property of mathematics.
If 
The first law of thermodynamics states that internal energy changes due to heat flow. Mathematically, this law is presented as 
The second law of thermodynamics states that the entropy (or disorder) of the universe is always increasing. Certain systems exist in which there is a local decrease in entropy, but these processes are always balanced by an increase of entropy outside of the system.
The third law of thermodynamics states that absolute zero is the state in which a system has zero entropy. Essentially, this means that it is impossible to reach absolute zero (at least with modern technology).
Example Question #1 : Laws Of Thermodynamics
Gas A is in thermal equilibrium with gases B and C. Which of the following is a valid conclusion?
Thermal equilibrium of gas B is directly proportional to that of gas C
No conclusion can be drawn
Gases A and B have equal amounts of entropy
Gases B and C are in thermal equilibrium with each other
Thermal equilibrium of gas B is indirectly proportional to that of gas C
Gases B and C are in thermal equilibrium with each other
The zeroth law of thermodynamics states that if two systems are in thermal equilibrium with a third system, they are in equilibrium with each other. If gas A is in equilibrium with gas B and gas C, then gas be and gas C must be in thermal equilibrium with each other.
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