1. reaches thermal equilibrium with surroundings; comes to the same temperature as the environment
Usage: physics; technical

Examples

• The neutron thermalizes as it slows down in the moderator.
• The gas thermalizes quickly when exposed to the chamber walls.
• After the collision, the particle thermalizes with the surrounding medium.
• The sample thermalizes within minutes of being placed in the bath.
• Hot plasma thermalizes as it expands and cools.
• The electron beam thermalizes upon entering the target material.