Relationship between density and probability in diffusion

In summary, the conversation discusses the diffusion of a drop of ink in a water vase and the relationship between the density of the ink and the probability of a particle being at a specific position and time. The probability is proportional to the density and is described as a probability density function in a Brownian movement.
  • #1
It's me
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Homework Statement



Consider the diffusion of a drop of ink in a water vase. The density of the ink is ## \rho (\vec{r}, t) ##, and the probability ##P(\vec{r}, t)## obeys the diffusion equation. What is the relationship between ##\rho (\vec{r}, t)## and ##P(\vec{r}, t)##?

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution



I think the probability is proportional to the density, but I am not sure in what way. I don't understand how to approach this problem.
 
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  • #2
The probability of what?
 
  • #3
The probability of a particle for being at a position ##\vec{r}## at time ##t##.
 
  • #4
It's me said:
The probability of a particle for being at a position ##\vec{r}## at time ##t##.
What does it mean to say that there is a particle of dye at a precise point in space? Is there some preamble to the question, telling you to consider the volume as made up of little boxes, each of which contains either one particle of dye or none?
 
  • #5
Not really, it just says that the probability is that of Brownian movement and we are asked to find that relationship as preparation to derive and solve the diffusion equation.
 
  • #6
It's me said:
the probability is that of Brownian movement
I still don't think that means anything. How about, it's the probability density function in a Brownian movement?
 
  • #7
Okay yes that makes sense.
 

1. How does density affect the probability of diffusion?

The higher the density of a substance, the greater the probability that it will diffuse into a region of lower density. This is because diffusion is the movement of particles from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration, and a higher density means there are more particles present to diffuse.

2. What is the relationship between density and diffusion rate?

The relationship between density and diffusion rate is directly proportional. As the density of a substance increases, the rate of diffusion also increases. This is due to the same reason as mentioned in the previous question - a higher density means more particles available for diffusion, resulting in a faster diffusion rate.

3. How does temperature affect the relationship between density and probability in diffusion?

Temperature has a significant impact on the relationship between density and probability in diffusion. As temperature increases, the particles of a substance gain more kinetic energy and move more rapidly, increasing the probability of diffusion. This means that at higher temperatures, even substances with lower densities can diffuse more easily.

4. Does the size of particles affect the relationship between density and probability in diffusion?

Yes, the size of particles does play a role in the relationship between density and probability in diffusion. Smaller particles have a higher probability of diffusion compared to larger particles, as they can move more easily through the spaces between other particles. This means that even if two substances have the same density, the one with smaller particles will have a higher probability of diffusion.

5. How is the relationship between density and probability in diffusion used in real life?

The relationship between density and probability in diffusion is used in various industries and applications. For example, it is utilized in the pharmaceutical industry to determine the rate at which a drug will diffuse through the body. It is also important in fields such as environmental science, where it helps understand the movement of pollutants through soil and water. Additionally, this relationship is used in chemical diffusion experiments to study the properties of different substances.

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