Physics:Quantum kinetic theory: Difference between revisions
imported>WikiHarold Replace raw Quantum Collection backlink with BT backlink template |
Arrange page top as TOC lead image columns |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Short description|Statistical description of many-particle systems in phase space}} | {{Short description|Statistical description of many-particle systems in phase space}} | ||
{{Quantum book backlink|Plasma and kinetic methods}} | |||
{{Quantum methods backlink|Plasma and kinetic methods}} | {{Quantum methods backlink|Plasma and kinetic methods}} | ||
<div style="display:flex; gap:24px; align-items:flex-start; max-width:1200px;"> | |||
<div style="width:280px;"> | |||
__TOC__ | |||
</div> | |||
<div style="flex:1; line-height:1.45; color:#006b45; column-count:2; column-gap:32px; column-rule:1px solid #b8d8c8;"> | |||
'''Kinetic theory''' describes the behavior of systems with a large number of particles by introducing a statistical description in terms of a distribution function in phase space. It forms a bridge between microscopic particle dynamics and macroscopic physical properties such as density, temperature, and pressure. | '''Kinetic theory''' describes the behavior of systems with a large number of particles by introducing a statistical description in terms of a distribution function in phase space. It forms a bridge between microscopic particle dynamics and macroscopic physical properties such as density, temperature, and pressure. | ||
| Line 7: | Line 16: | ||
<div style="float:right; border:1px solid #e0d890; background:#fff8cc; padding:6px; margin:0 0 1em 1em; width:420px;"> | <div style="float:right; border:1px solid #e0d890; background:#fff8cc; padding:6px; margin:0 0 1em 1em; width:420px;"> | ||
<div style="font-size:90%;">Phase space representation of a distribution function in kinetic theory.</div> | <div style="font-size:90%;">Phase space representation of a distribution function in kinetic theory.</div> | ||
</div> | |||
</div> | |||
<div style="width:300px;"> | |||
[[File:Vlasov equation phase space.png|thumb|280px|Quantum kinetic theory.]] | |||
</div> | |||
</div> | </div> | ||
Revision as of 15:50, 17 May 2026
Kinetic theory describes the behavior of systems with a large number of particles by introducing a statistical description in terms of a distribution function in phase space. It forms a bridge between microscopic particle dynamics and macroscopic physical properties such as density, temperature, and pressure.
Kinetic theory is central to the description of gases, plasmas, and many-body systems, and provides the foundation for transport theory and fluid models. It forms the basis for equations such as the Vlasov equation and macroscopic models including magnetohydrodynamics.
Distribution function
The fundamental object of kinetic theory is the distribution function:
Macroscopic quantities are obtained as moments:
- Density:
- Mean velocity:
Evolution equations
The distribution evolves according to equations such as the Vlasov equation.
Applications
Kinetic theory is used in:
It underlies transport theory and phenomena described by drift physics.
See also
Table of contents (217 articles)
Index
Full contents
References
Source attribution: Kinetic theory
