Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics
From SkepticWiki
[edit] Definition
The Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics states:
- If two bodies are each in thermal equilibrium with a third body, then they are in thermal equilibrium with each other.
In terms more familiar to the layman this can be expressed as:
- Temperature exists.
[edit] Discussion
The Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics may seem to be blindingly obvious. If two bodies are in thermal equilibrium, then they are at the same temperature, and how could the same temperature be anything but the same?
However, it is legitimate in science even to question the blindingly obvious. In this case, some experiments at small scales, at first, seemed to contradict this idea. As it turned out, the results of the experiments were incorrect. In other instances, questioning obvious assumptions has led to scientific revolutions, such as Relativity and Quantum Mechanics.
