(ceramics) random walk approach to gases, liquids, or solids

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the random walk approach to understanding the behavior of gases, liquids, and solids, emphasizing the role of temperature and concentration gradients. It clarifies that atoms do not jump spontaneously; they require forces to migrate, which is evident in phenomena like Brownian motion. The conversation highlights that while solids have fixed atomic positions, liquids allow for molecular migration due to intermolecular forces, and gases exhibit minimal interatomic forces. Additionally, diffusion occurs in solids, albeit at a significantly slower rate compared to liquids and gases, with examples such as hydrogen diffusion in metals and precipitation hardening processes.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Brownian motion
  • Knowledge of temperature gradients and concentration gradients
  • Familiarity with interatomic and intermolecular forces
  • Concept of diffusion in different states of matter
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the principles of Brownian motion in detail
  • Study temperature and concentration gradients in various materials
  • Explore diffusion mechanisms in solids, liquids, and gases
  • Investigate precipitation hardening processes in metallurgy
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in materials science, physicists studying thermodynamics, and chemists interested in molecular behavior across different states of matter.

asdf1
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For the random walk approach to gases, liquids, or solids, why isn't there a gradient? The atoms don't jump by themselves, right? They should have to feel forces to jump...
 
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asdf1 said:
For the random walk approach to gases, liquids, or solids, why isn't there a gradient? The atoms don't jump by themselves, right? They should have to feel forces to jump...
Atoms vibrate - that is what temperature is - the kinetic energy of atoms. Think - Brownian motion.

And there is a gradient - the temperature gradient or concentration gradient. One can observe a concentration gradient by taking a drop of ink and dropping it in a liquid like water, and watching the ink disperse.

In the case of solids, the atoms are more or less fixed in position - that's what makes a solid solid. In liquids, the atoms/molecules are subject to interatomic/intermolecular forces, but the individual atoms/molecules can migrate. In gases, there is distance between the atoms/molecules and the interatomic/intermolecular forces are very low if existent.

Now in solids, there can be diffusion, but is very slow - orders of magnitude less than in liquids and gases. Hydrogen can diffuse in many metals. There is self-diffusion of atoms in a solid.

Think of the process of precipitation hardening of a metal.
 
Ok, I got it! Thank you very much!
 

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