Thermal equilibrium of an ideal gas in a free-floating box
Abstract
The equilibrium and fluctuations of an ideal gas in a rigid container are studied by every student of statistical mechanics. Here, we examine the less well-known case when the box is floating freely; in particular, we determine the fluctuations of the box in velocity and position due to interactions with the gas it contains. This system is a toy model for the fluctuations in velocity and position of a black hole surrounded by stars at the center of a galaxy. These fluctuations may be observable in nearby galaxies.
- Publication:
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American Journal of Physics
- Pub Date:
- August 2021
- DOI:
- 10.1119/10.0004955
- arXiv:
- arXiv:2012.13273
- Bibcode:
- 2021AmJPh..89..789T
- Keywords:
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- Astrophysics - Astrophysics of Galaxies
- E-Print:
- 5 pages, no figures, submitted to American Journal of Physics