Number of molecules moving in a given direction at a given speed

Click For Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the fraction of molecules moving in a specific direction at a given speed using concepts from velocity space. It explains that the number of velocity vectors for a certain speed is proportional to the surface area of a sphere in velocity space. The fraction of these vectors is derived from the solid angle and the Boltzmann-Maxwell equation. The user seeks clarification on their approach to expressing this relationship and whether their calculations for the number of molecules at a specific angle and speed are correct. The conversation highlights the complexity of relating these concepts in statistical mechanics.
Pushoam
Messages
961
Reaction score
53

Homework Statement


upload_2017-9-15_16-42-35.png

I didn't get it.
Consider velocity space.
The no. of velocity vectors for a given speed is proportional to the surface area of a sphere of radius v in the velocity space.
So, a fraction of velocity vectors with speed v in an elemental area dA is##\frac{ dA}A##.
A = ##\Omega v^2##
## dA = d \Omega v^2##
##\frac {dA}A = \frac{d \Omega v^2}{4\pi v^2}
\\ \frac {dA}A =\frac{d \Omega}{4\pi }##How to relate it to eq.6.7?

upload_2017-9-15_16-58-51.png
upload_2017-9-15_16-59-20.png
upload_2017-9-15_16-59-34.png

I didn't get this,too.

Please help me.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

 

Attachments

  • upload_2017-9-15_16-42-3.png
    upload_2017-9-15_16-42-3.png
    28.1 KB · Views: 461
Physics news on Phys.org
I have to calculate fraction of molecules traveling in a certain direction at a certain speed .
Let's define the certain direction by a direction which is at an angle ##\theta## from a standard direction, let's say z- direction ( as I am going to use spherical coordinates).
Let's denote the certain speed by "v".
Let's denote the required quantity by H(##\theta,v##).
No. of molecules at a certain speed is given by Boltzmann- Maxwell eqn. which is denoted here by f(v)dv.
In velocity space, fraction of velocity vectors in a small solid angle d##\Omega## corresponding to elemental area dA is given by ##\frac{d\Omega}{4\pi}##
The area dA is the area occupied by the velocity vector( similar to the position vector in position space) , when it is moved from an angle ##\theta ## to ##\theta +d \theta## in velocity space, where ##\theta ## is an angle made by the velocity vector with a standard direction.
upload_2017-9-15_17-23-26.png

In this case,
##d\Omega = 2\pi \sin {\theta} d\theta##
So, H(##\theta,v##) = ##\frac{f(v)dv \sin {\theta} d\theta}2##

Is this correct?
 
Last edited:
The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?

Similar threads

Replies
4
Views
1K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Replies
18
Views
1K
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
335
Views
16K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
3K