Stokes–Einstein relation

E31544

The Stokes–Einstein relation is a fundamental equation in statistical physics that links the diffusion coefficient of a particle in a fluid to its size, the fluid’s viscosity, and temperature.


Statements (49)
Predicate Object
instanceOf equation in statistical physics
physical law
appliesTo Brownian particles
Newtonian fluids
dilute suspensions
spherical particles
assumes continuum hydrodynamics
isotropic medium
low Reynolds number
no-slip boundary condition
overdamped motion
thermal equilibrium
category diffusion
transport phenomena
derivedFrom Einstein theory of Brownian motion
Stokes law for viscous drag
describes translational diffusion of spherical particles
expresses diffusion coefficient is directly proportional to temperature
diffusion coefficient is inversely proportional to fluid viscosity
diffusion coefficient is inversely proportional to particle radius
field colloid science
physical chemistry
soft condensed matter physics
statistical physics
hasComponentConcept Brownian motion
viscous drag
hasForm D = k_B T / (6 π η R)
knownLimitation breaks down for supercooled liquids
may fail for highly crowded environments
may fail for strongly interacting colloids
namedAfter Albert Einstein
George Gabriel Stokes
relatesQuantity Boltzmann constant
absolute temperature
diffusion coefficient
fluid viscosity
particle radius
usedFor characterizing colloidal dispersions
estimating particle size from diffusion measurements
interpreting dynamic light scattering experiments
microrheology
nanoparticle size determination
validWhen hydrodynamic interactions are well described by continuum theory
particle size is much larger than solvent molecules
variable D
R
T
k_B
η

Referenced by (1)
Subject (surface form when different) Predicate
Einstein–Smoluchowski relation
relatedConcept

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