Question
Explain why: Two bodies at different temperatures $T_1$ and $T_2$ if brought in thermal contact do not necessarily settle to the mean temperature $(T_1 + T_2 )/2$.
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Answer
When two bodies at different temperatures $T_1$ and $T_2$ are brought in thermal contact, heat flows from the body at the higher temperature to the body at the lower temperature till equilibrium is achieved, i.e., the temperatures of both the bodies become equal. The equilibrium temperature is equal to the mean temperature $(T_1 + T_2)/2$ only when the thermal capacities of both the bodies are equal.
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