Model for Sudden Decompression of Ideal Gas in Box

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around modeling the sudden decompression of an ideal gas contained in an isolated box. Participants explore various mathematical approaches to describe the evolution of the gas particles over time, considering factors such as temperature, particle speed, and the geometry of the box.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes a decay equation, n(t) = N e^{-At}, to model the number of particles in a specific volume over time, questioning if a better model exists that incorporates temperature and other constants.
  • Another participant presents a formula for the time it takes for an individual particle to reach the barrier, t_i = (2L - x_i) / (v̄ cos(a_i)), seeking a function n(t) that relates the number of particles to total particles, box size, average speed, and time.
  • A suggestion is made to search for existing equations related to sudden decompression, particularly from reputable sources like NASA or LANL.
  • A later reply introduces a new formula for n(t) involving temperature and constants, n(t) = N exp[-(4ln(2)√(3k_BT/m)/(πL))t], checking its consistency with the initial model proposed.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on a definitive model for the system, as multiple approaches and formulas are presented without agreement on their validity or superiority.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes various assumptions about particle behavior, the influence of temperature, and the geometric configuration of the box, which may affect the proposed models. The relationship between the variables remains unresolved, and the derivation of some formulas is not fully detailed.

intervoxel
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Imagine an infinitely long square box of side L. This box is isolated from the ambient and contains a number of N molecules of an ideal gas in a volume L^3 in thermal equilibrium located at one end of the box at time t=0.

I found that the evolution of this system can be modeled by the decay equation

n(t) = N e^{-At}.

Where n is the number of particles in the volume L^3 and A is a scalling constant.

My question is: Is there a better model for this system? (maybe hopefuly including absolute temperature T, L and Boltzmann constant k_B)
 
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Please, help. I'm stuck a long time in this.

So far I got the following formula which gives the time the i-th particle takes to reach the barrier at x=L:

[tex] t_i = \frac{2 L - x_i}{\overline{v} \cos(a_i)}[/tex]

where

[tex]x_i[/tex] is a random variable between 0 and L
[tex]a_i[/tex] is a random variable between 0 and [tex]\pi /2[/tex]
[tex]\overline{v}[/tex] is the average speed of a gas particle

What I need is [tex]n(t) = f(N, L, \overline{v},t)[/tex]

where

N is the total number of particles
n(t) is the the number of particles in the original volume [tex]L^3[/tex] after time t

Any reference book or article?

Thanks
 
Perhaps a Google search of "sudden decompression equations" with an additional search term of NASA, LANL or something similar might give some insight.
 
Thank you for you suggestion, pallidin, but I couldn't find anything.

I'm checking the consistency of the following formula I worked out:

[tex] \boxed{<br /> \;\;n(t) = N exp\left[-\left(\frac{4\ln{2}\sqrt{\frac{3k_BT}{m}}}{\pi L}\right)t\right].\;\;<br /> }[/tex]

where [tex]k_B[/tex] is Boltzmann constant, T is the absolute temperature and m is the atomic weight of the monoatomic gas molecule.
 

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