How to tell if two system has same temperature?

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SUMMARY

Two isolated systems separated by a membrane can reach thermal equilibrium, but this does not guarantee they will have the same temperature. The discussion highlights that even with the same volume and interaction potential, differences in electrical potential can create a temperature gradient, as illustrated by the thermoelectric effect. The internal energy of the systems can be expressed in differential form, allowing for the analysis of equilibrium conditions. The conclusion is that equilibrium does not imply homogeneity in temperature across the systems.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of thermodynamics and equilibrium concepts
  • Familiarity with differential forms of internal energy equations
  • Knowledge of the thermoelectric effect and its implications
  • Basic principles of electrical potential and charge interactions
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  • Study the thermoelectric effect and its applications in thermal management
  • Learn about the differential form of internal energy in thermodynamics
  • Explore the implications of electrical potential differences in thermodynamic systems
  • Investigate the conditions for achieving thermal equilibrium in isolated systems
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Physicists, thermodynamic researchers, and engineers interested in heat transfer and energy systems will benefit from this discussion.

KFC
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Two systems are separated by a membrane which allow heat and partcle exchange. Both systems have same volume but different (interaction) potential. Do these two systems have same temperature?

I think they have same temperature because such system could come to equilibrium when time is longer enough, right?

ps. The whole system is isolated
 
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The standard approach here is to write the internal energy of the systems in differential form (e.g.,

[tex]dU = T_1\,dS_1 +T_2\,dS_2- p_1\,dV_1 - p_2\,dV_2+ \mu_1\,dN_1+ \mu_2\,dN_2+ E_1\,dq_1+ E_2\,dq_2+\dots[/tex]

where E is electrical potential and q is charge), solve for dS, and set this to zero to find what would happen at equilibrium.
KFC said:
I think they have same temperature because such system could come to equilibrium when time is longer enough, right?

Not necessarily; equilibrium doesn't mean that the properties are homogeneous. If energy is coupled to charge (which would be the case for individual particles), then a difference in electrical potential between the two systems could lead to a temperature gradient, as exemplified by the thermoelectric effect.
 
Mapes said:
The standard approach here is to write the internal energy of the systems in differential form (e.g.,

[tex]dU = T_1\,dS_1 +T_2\,dS_2- p_1\,dV_1 - p_2\,dV_2+ \mu_1\,dN_1+ \mu_2\,dN_2+ E_1\,dq_1+ E_2\,dq_2+\dots[/tex]

where E is electrical potential and q is charge), solve for dS, and set this to zero to find what would happen at equilibrium.


Not necessarily; equilibrium doesn't mean that the properties are homogeneous. If energy is coupled to charge (which would be the case for individual particles), then a difference in electrical potential between the two systems could lead to a temperature gradient, as exemplified by the thermoelectric effect.

I fogot to say, no interaction b/w particles
 

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