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  2. Living Physics 6 - Coherent vs random motion  (V1: This is the latest version.)
Living Physics 6 - Coherent vs random motion
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Part 7 of 12
Highlights: chapter 6 of an intro physics text for life-science students defining momentum and contrasting it with random models of motion and diffusion
Abstract: Diffusion and random motion play a critical role in cellular biology. We help students understand diffusion by contrasting Newtonian and random models of motion. We begin with a short introduction to impulse and momentum. We then introduce the idea of matter as made up of many rapidly chaotically moving molecules. Describing the motion of molecules and objects embedded in such an environment with Newton’s laws becomes hopelessly complex. Therefore we introduce the model of random walk motion and show how this leads to Fick’s law and diffusion of a non-uniform concentration of molecules embedded in such an environment.
Resource Types: Student reading, Instructor supplement, Restricted access
Remote Learning Ready: This resource has been designed or adapted for use in remote learning.
Commercially available in:  TopHat
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TOPICS

Physics Topics: 

Classical Mechanics > Newton's Second Law > Force & Acceleration

Thermo & Stat Mech > Kinetic and Diffusive Processes > Diffusion, Kinetic Theory, Mean Collision Time, Mean Free Path

Life Sciences Topics: 

None

Chemistry Topics: 

None

Math Topics: 
Algebra; Differential Calculus; Geometry; Integral Calculus; Trigonometry

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SUBMISSION DETAILS

Copyright:   2023 Edward Redish, Ginny Redish

License:   CC BY-NC-SA - Attribution, No Commercial uses and Share Alike. Derivative works must have the same license.

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