What is the Asymptotic Volume Fraction of Randomly Distributed Spheres in a Box?

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SUMMARY

The asymptotic volume fraction of randomly distributed non-overlapping spheres in a box is determined by the configuration of the spheres and the dimensions of the box. When filling a box of side length L with spheres of radius R, the expected volume fraction can be expressed as \(\frac{4\pi R^3}{3 L^3} E(N)\), where E(N) represents the expected number of spheres that can fit without overlapping. This problem is commonly referred to as the "parking lot test" for random numbers, which can be solved using numerical methods.

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clamtrox
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Hey guys, I need to fill up a box with uniformly distributed set of non-overlapping spheres. This is quite easy to do numerically. I was wondering what is expectation value for the asymptotic volume fraction of the spheres.

Suppose I have a big box with side L, and spheres with radius R<<L. I pick a random point x inside the box, and add it to my collection of spheres if |x-xn|>R for all spheres already in the collection. I can keep on doing this until there's no room in the box to add another sphere; suppose that leaves me with N spheres. What is \frac{4\pi R^3}{3 L^3} E(N) ?
 
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This problem is called the "parking lot test" for random numbers. I am sure you will find the answer by googeling for it.
 

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