Initial Velocities(from Lecture 3)

• Random direction

  • randomize each component independently
  • randomize direction by choosing point on spherical surface

• Magnitude consistent with desired temperature. Choices:

  • Maxwell-Boltzmann:
  • Uniform over (-1/2,+1/2), then scale so that
  • Constant at
  • Same for y, z components

• Be sure to shift so center-of-mass momentum is zero

Previous slide

Next slide

Back to first slide

View graphic version