Is Elasticity Possible in Collisions at a Microscopic Level?

In summary, collisions and thermodynamics have a close relationship as collisions between particles can lead to changes in temperature, pressure, and energy in a system. Collisions can affect the energy of a system by transferring energy between particles, and can also cause changes in temperature. In the study of thermodynamics, collisions are considered in the context of the laws of thermodynamics and play a crucial role in understanding the behavior of energy in thermodynamic systems.
  • #1
Delta2
Insights Author
Gold Member
6,002
2,628
About collisions of macroscopic objects:

- Can they be perfectly elastic in reality? If not is this a consequence of the 2nd thermodynamic law?

About microscopic collisions (between molecules, atoms or elementary particles)

- Can they be perfectly elastic? A collision between two elementary particles means that they really come in contact thus occuping the same point of space at the same time? (e.g annihilation between a positron and an electron happens when both lying in the same point in the same time?)
 
Science news on Phys.org
  • #2
@Delta2 did you gain insight on this?
 

FAQ: Is Elasticity Possible in Collisions at a Microscopic Level?

What is the relationship between collisions and thermodynamics?

Collisions and thermodynamics are closely related as collisions between particles can lead to changes in temperature, pressure, and energy in a system. In thermodynamics, collisions are considered in the context of the laws of thermodynamics, which govern the behavior of energy in a system.

How do collisions affect the energy of a system?

Collisions can transfer energy between particles in a system, leading to changes in the overall energy of the system. In an isolated system, the total energy remains constant, but energy can be transferred between different forms, such as kinetic and potential energy, through collisions.

Can collisions cause changes in temperature?

Yes, collisions can cause changes in temperature within a system. When particles collide, they transfer kinetic energy to each other, which can result in an increase or decrease in temperature depending on the direction of energy transfer. This is known as thermal equilibrium.

How does thermodynamics explain the behavior of gases?

Thermodynamics provides a framework for understanding the behavior of gases, which is based on the principles of temperature, pressure, and volume. The ideal gas law, which relates these variables, takes into account the effects of collisions between gas particles.

What is the role of collisions in the study of thermodynamics?

Collisions play a crucial role in the study of thermodynamics as they are responsible for the transfer of energy and changes in temperature, pressure, and volume within a system. Understanding collisions helps to explain and predict the behavior of energy in thermodynamic systems.

Similar threads

B Collision time interval of a gas molecule with wall of container
Replies
6
Views
2K
B The collision of molecules during thermal expansion
Replies
4
Views
1K
B Loschmidt's paradox and free gas expansion
Replies
5
Views
1K
Elastic collisions and Newton's third law
Replies
2
Views
2K
I Work Done/Energy Transferred in One Dimensional Collision
Replies
5
Views
1K
What is the relationship between thermodynamics and classical mechanics?
Replies
7
Views
3K
Analogies between temperature and time in thermodynamics
Replies
4
Views
1K
Heat transfer and elastic collision
Replies
10
Views
5K
Correct statement about perfectly elastic collision
Replies
15
Views
3K
Some questions about heat and temperature
Replies
7
Views
1K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top