Difference between revisions of "Diffusion"
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| − | '''Diffusion''' is a [[time]]-dependent [[process]], constituted by [[random]] [[motion]] of given [[entities]] and [[causing]] the [[statistical]] [[distribution]] of these entities to spread in [[space]]. The [[concept]] of diffusion is tied to notion of [ | + | '''Diffusion''' is a [[time]]-dependent [[process]], constituted by [[random]] [[motion]] of given [[entities]] and [[causing]] the [[statistical]] [[distribution]] of these entities to spread in [[space]]. The [[concept]] of diffusion is tied to notion of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_transfer mass transfer], driven by a concentration gradient. |
| − | The concept of diffusion emerged in the [[Natural Sciences|physical sciences]]. The [[paradigm]]atic examples were [ | + | The concept of diffusion emerged in the [[Natural Sciences|physical sciences]]. The [[paradigm]]atic examples were [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heat_diffusion heat diffusion], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molecular_diffusion molecular diffusion] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brownian_motion Brownian motion]. Their [[mathematical]] description was elaborated by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Fourier Joseph Fourier] in 1822, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adolf_Fick Adolf Fick] in 1855 and by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Einstein Albert Einstein] in 1905. |
| − | Applications outside physics were pioneered by [ | + | Applications outside physics were pioneered by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Bachelier Louis Bachelier] who in 1900 used a [[random]] walk [[model]] to describe price fluctuations on [[financial]] markets. In a less [[quantitative]] way, the concept of diffusion is invoked in the [[social sciences]] to describe the spread of [[ideas]].[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diffusion] |
[[Category: General Reference]] | [[Category: General Reference]] | ||
Latest revision as of 01:09, 13 December 2020
Diffusion is a time-dependent process, constituted by random motion of given entities and causing the statistical distribution of these entities to spread in space. The concept of diffusion is tied to notion of mass transfer, driven by a concentration gradient.
The concept of diffusion emerged in the physical sciences. The paradigmatic examples were heat diffusion, molecular diffusion and Brownian motion. Their mathematical description was elaborated by Joseph Fourier in 1822, Adolf Fick in 1855 and by Albert Einstein in 1905.
Applications outside physics were pioneered by Louis Bachelier who in 1900 used a random walk model to describe price fluctuations on financial markets. In a less quantitative way, the concept of diffusion is invoked in the social sciences to describe the spread of ideas.[1]
