ERIC Number: EJ963887
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2011-Sep
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0143-0807
EISSN: N/A
Boltzmann's "H"-Theorem and the Assumption of Molecular Chaos
Boozer, A. D.
European Journal of Physics, v32 n5 p1391-1403 Sep 2011
We describe a simple dynamical model of a one-dimensional ideal gas and use computer simulations of the model to illustrate two fundamental results of kinetic theory: the Boltzmann transport equation and the Boltzmann "H"-theorem. Although the model is time-reversal invariant, both results predict that the behaviour of the gas is time-asymmetric. We show that the assumption of molecular chaos is a necessary condition, but not a sufficient condition, for such time-asymmetric results to correctly describe the model, and we use computer simulations to investigate the conditions under which the assumption of molecular chaos holds. (Contains 7 figures and 7 footnotes.)
Descriptors: Computer Simulation, Mechanics (Physics), Science Instruction, Educational Technology, Models, Theories, Motion, Equations (Mathematics), Molecular Structure, Energy, College Science, Correlation
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A