The molecular dynamics of two particles on a ring

Authors

Karla V Belisario; Elise Agra; Kristine Eia S Antonio; Ronald S. Banzon

Source

Proceedings of the 24th Samahang Pisika ng Pilipinas Physics Congress, Ateneo de Davao University, Davao City, SPP-2006-68 (2006).

Abstract

We consider the behavior of two particles on a one-dimensional ring interacting via the Lennard-Jones potential. A collision occurs when the distance between the particles falls within a range corresponding to the minimum potential energy of the system. Equilibrium is achieved when the kinetic energy, which is reduced to an amount proportional to the square of the velocity during particle-particle collision, is less than a fraction of the minimum potential energy. The model shows that as we increase the range in which the Lennard Jones potential is allowed to act on the system, the time needed to achieve equilibrium also increases.