Which option BEST explains how thermal equilibrium interacts with heat transfer between particles? a

Thermal equilibrium stops the transfer of energy in just one direction when both objects reach the same temperature, but allows their particles to continue transferring that energy back and forth.

b

Thermal equilibrium always transfers energy from the hotter object to the colder one, and increases the energy and speed of moving particles in both objects as the temperature decreases.

c

Thermal equilibrium helps the transfer of energy between the particles of some materials better than others, but always stops the transfer of energy in materials like plastic and wood.

d

Thermal equilibrium quickly transfers energy back to the particles of the object that was originally hotter, and requires that the particles in both objects have reached equal energy and density.