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Brownian motion is the random movement of particles suspended in a fluid, resulting from their collision with the fast-moving molecules in the fluid. It is a fundamental concept in statistical physics and serves as a mathematical model for stochastic processes, with applications in fields such as finance, biology, and physics.
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The Kinetic Theory of Gases explains the macroscopic properties of gases by considering their molecular composition and motion. It assumes that gases consist of a large number of small particles in constant, random motion, and that the pressure exerted by a gas results from collisions of the particles with the walls of the container.
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Phonons are quantized modes of vibrations occurring in a rigid crystal lattice structure, acting as the primary carriers of thermal and acoustic energy in solid materials. They play a crucial role in understanding thermal conductivity, heat capacity, and the scattering processes affecting electrical and thermal properties in materials.
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Molecular dynamics is a computer simulation method for studying the physical movements of atoms and molecules, allowing scientists to predict the time-dependent evolution of a molecular system. By solving Newton's equations of motion, it provides insights into the structural and dynamic properties of materials at the atomic level, which is crucial for fields like materials science, chemistry, and biology.
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Quantum mechanics is a fundamental theory in physics that describes the physical properties of nature at the smallest scales, such as atoms and subatomic particles. It introduces concepts like wave-particle duality, uncertainty principle, and quantum entanglement, which challenge classical intuitions about the behavior of matter and energy.
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Thermal conductivity is a material property that indicates the ability of a material to conduct heat, playing a crucial role in determining how quickly heat can be transferred through a material. It is essential in applications ranging from building insulation to electronic device cooling, influencing energy efficiency and thermal management strategies.
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Diffusion is the process by which particles spread from areas of high concentration to areas of low concentration, driven by the kinetic energy of the particles. It is a fundamental mechanism in various natural and artificial processes, influencing everything from cellular respiration to the distribution of pollutants in the environment.
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Vibrational modes refer to the characteristic ways in which the atoms in a molecule oscillate relative to each other, influenced by the molecule's symmetry and structure. These modes are crucial for understanding molecular properties such as infrared and Raman spectroscopy, as they determine how molecules absorb and scatter light.
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Lattice dynamics is the study of the collective motions of atoms within a crystal lattice, which are responsible for various physical properties such as thermal conductivity and specific heat. It involves understanding how these atomic vibrations, or phonons, propagate through the lattice and interact with each other and external perturbations.
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Heat capacity is a measure of the amount of heat energy required to change the temperature of a substance by a given amount, reflecting its ability to store thermal energy. It is a fundamental property that varies with the substance's mass, composition, and phase, and is essential for understanding thermal processes and energy transfer in physical systems.
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Doppler cooling is a technique used to reduce the kinetic energy of atoms or ions, effectively cooling them by using the Doppler effect to selectively absorb photons from a laser beam. This process allows for precise control over atomic motion, making it essential for experiments in atomic physics and quantum computing.
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