- #1
Frank Castle
- 580
- 23
I have been reading up on the kinetic theory of gases, and I'm unsure whether I have correctly understood why particle velocities become correlated after colliding. Is it because during the collision they exchange momentum and thus their velocities (and hence trajectories) are altered in a manner dictated by momentum conservation. Their velocities are then mutually related (i.e. have become correlated) post-collision, as if one were to reverse their subsequent trajectories they would return to the collision point (knowing the trajectory of one of the particles, one can predict the trajectory of the other). Would this be correct at all?
Apologies if this is a stupid question, I'm having a bit of a mental block and would like to get it sorted in my head.
Apologies if this is a stupid question, I'm having a bit of a mental block and would like to get it sorted in my head.