What occurs during thermal equilibrium?

Thermal equilibrium refers to a state in which two objects that have been in thermal contact with each other have reached the same temperature, and as a result, there is no net heat transfer between them. When two objects are at different temperatures, heat naturally flows from the hotter object to the cooler one. This transfer continues until the temperatures equalize. At this point, both objects have the same thermal energy, and any heat exchange that may happen occurs in such a way that the total heat transferred is zero; thus, no further heat flow occurs.

In the context of thermal equilibrium, it is crucial to understand that the temperatures of the objects must be equal for equilibrium to be established. If they remain at different temperatures or continue to exchange heat, they are not in thermal equilibrium. Additionally, thermal equilibrium does not imply that the objects have lost all their heat energy; it simply indicates that there is no more net heat transfer because they are at the same temperature.