Suppose we put a glass of water in a room. After some time, the water temperature will be same as the temperature of the room and equilibrium is achieved between them. The glass of water becomes stable. Now, if we place a second glass of hot water near the first glass, then the first glass of water becomes hot too, and after some time, equilibrium is achieved between both glasses and the room. But why does the first stable glass of water absorb heat if it already is in equilibrium?
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$\begingroup$ In an airtight, perfectly isothermal room the water will slowly spread throughout the room by vapour transport. $\endgroup$my2cts– my2cts2025-12-31 09:27:33 +00:00Commented Dec 31, 2025 at 9:27
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You inserted a new glass of hot water. The whole system is no longer in equilibrium. A new equilibrium is to be found.
answered Dec 30, 2025 at 20:47
naturallyInconsistent
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