Kinetic Theory

Reviews the behavior of gases based on statistical mechanics. The main concepts covered are Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution of velocities, mean free path of air, effusion and diffusion, inertial forces and viscosity, Reynolds number, laminar and turbulent flow.

⏻ Learning Objectives

By the end of this lecture you have learned

  • the basic tenets of the kinetic theory of ideal gases

  • how to apply kinetic theory to predict properties of gases

  • how kinetic theory relates to the behavior of particles suspended in a gas

Slides and Lecture Notes

Slide Deck: link

Reading

Hinds, Chapter 2

Homework

⌨ Assignment
Due April 16 2024: Homework 3
CC BY-NC 4.0 Markus Petters.