COMPUTER SIMULATION OF THE PROCESS OF ESTABLISHING THE DISTRIBUTION OF MOLECULES BY ENERGY

Abstract

The paper considers a computer model of an ideal gas in the form of a system of identical balls elastically colliding with each other. This model is designed to accompany a lecture course for students. It demonstrates the process in which the initial delta-shaped velocity distribution of balls in the process of collision and energy exchange turns into a Maxwell distribution. The addition of a homogeneous force field to the model also makes it possible to investigate the process of establishing the Boltzmann distribution (Barometric Formula). In this case, the initial uniform distribution of the balls along the heights over time passes into the Boltzmann distribution. The use of the model clearly demonstrates the evolution of the system of balls to equilibrium, and their energy distribution to the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution. Students can trace the establishment of the distribution of both Maxwell and Boltzmann on the display screen.