Thermal Equilibrium: Exchange of Kinetic Energy

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as we know that atomic collisions are perfectly ellastic
perfectly ellastic collisions are given by
v1=u1(m1-m2)+2(m2)u2 / m1+m2
and v2=u2(m2-m1)+2(m1)u1 / m1+m2
when m1=m2
v1=u2
v2=u1

we know heat is stored in the form of vibrational energy(kinetic energy)
so to exchange energy they should collide
according to ellasticity the should exchange their energies
T1° will become T2° and T1° will become T2°
the how will they come to equillibrium
 
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Your formulas apply only in one dimension. In one dimension, it is true that colliding particles will not thermalize.
 
this is just a doubt in ellasticity and not thermodynamics
in 2d collisions
when m1=m2
v1=(u2+u1)cos(x/2)
v2=(u2-u1)sin(x/2) [scource : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elastic_collision ]
initial total energy(T.E)=1/2(m^2)(u1^2 +u2^2)
final T.E=1/2(m^2)((u2-u1)^2)

according to physics laws initial T.E should be equal to final T.E

hence , 1/2(m^2)(u1^2 +u2^2)=1/2(m^2)((u2-u1)^2)

(u1^2 +u2^2)=((u2-u1)^2)

which is only possible when u1 or u2 is equal to zero
but when u1 & u2 are not equal to zero they violate the law of conservation of energy

why is that so?
 
Last edited:
Please move this to the Classical Physics forum. This has nothing to do with Quantum Mechanics.
 
Bill_K said:
Please move this to the Classical Physics forum. This has nothing to do with Quantum Mechanics.



could you tell me how to do it
i'm new to PF
 
Your formulas do not appear in the wikipedia article that you cite, and they are not correct.
 
Avodyne said:
Your formulas do not appear in the wikipedia article that you cite, and they are not correct.
look for 2d collisions i just modified the relative initial velocity as u1+u2

and before that please substitute m1=m2
 
Your formulas are from the 1d section.
 
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