<< Chapter < Page Chapter >> Page >
This module presents an overview of Brownian motion, with a focus on how it relates to nanotechnology. It looks at Brownian motion from a historical, physical, mathematical, and biological perspective in order to give the reader a complete view of this phenomenon.
"This module was developed as part of a Rice University Class called " Nanotechnology: Content and Context " initially funded by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. EEC-0407237. It was conceived, researched, written and edited by students in the Fall 2005 version of the class, and reviewed by participating professors."

Clarkia pulcgella

This plant was Clarkia pulchella, of which the grains of pollen, taken fromantherae full grown, but before bursting, were filled with particles or granules of unusually large size, varying from nearly1/4000th to 1/5000th of an inch in length, and of a figure between cylindrical and oblong, perhaps slightly flattened, and havingrounded and equal extremities. While examining the form of these particles immersed in water, I observed many of them very evidentlyin motion; their motion consisting not only of a change of place in the fluid, manifested by alterations in their relative positions,but also not unfrequently of a change of form in the particle itself; a contraction or curvature taking place repeatedly aboutthe middle of one side, accompanied by a corresponding swelling or convexity on the opposite side of the particle. In a few instancesthe particle was seen to turn on its longer axis. These motions were such as to satisfy me, after frequently repeated observation,that they arose neither from currents in the fluid, nor from its gradual evaporation, but belonged to the particle itself. -Robert Brown, 1828

Introduction

The physical phenomena described in the excerpt above by Robert Brown, the nineteenth-century Britishbotanist and surgeon, have come collectively to be known in his honor by the term Brownian motion.

Brownian motion, a simple stochastic process, can be modeled to mathematically characterize the random movementsof minute particles upon immersion in fluids. As Brown once noted in his observations under a microscope, particulate matter such as,for example, pollen granules, appear to be in a constant state of agitation and also seem to demonstrate a vivid, oscillatory motionwhen suspended in a solution such as water.

We now know that Brownian motion takes place as a result of thermal energy and that it is governed by thekinetic-molecular theory of heat, the properties of which have been found to be applicable to all diffusion phenomena.

But how are the random movement of flower gametes and a British plant enthusiast who has been dead for ahundred and fifty years relevant to the study and to the practice of nanotechnology? This is the main question that this module aimsto address. In order to arrive at an adequate answer, we must first examine the concept of Brownian motion from a number of differentperspectives, among them the historical, physical, mathematical, and biological.

Questions & Answers

what is mutation
Janga Reply
what is a cell
Sifune Reply
how is urine form
Sifune
what is antagonism?
mahase Reply
classification of plants, gymnosperm features.
Linsy Reply
what is the features of gymnosperm
Linsy
how many types of solid did we have
Samuel Reply
what is an ionic bond
Samuel
What is Atoms
Daprince Reply
what is fallopian tube
Merolyn
what is bladder
Merolyn
what's bulbourethral gland
Eduek Reply
urine is formed in the nephron of the renal medulla in the kidney. It starts from filtration, then selective reabsorption and finally secretion
onuoha Reply
State the evolution relation and relevance between endoplasmic reticulum and cytoskeleton as it relates to cell.
Jeremiah
what is heart
Konadu Reply
how is urine formed in human
Konadu
how is urine formed in human
Rahma
what is the diference between a cavity and a canal
Pelagie Reply
what is the causative agent of malaria
Diamond
malaria is caused by an insect called mosquito.
Naomi
Malaria is cause by female anopheles mosquito
Isaac
Malaria is caused by plasmodium Female anopheles mosquitoe is d carrier
Olalekan
a canal is more needed in a root but a cavity is a bad effect
Commander
what are pathogens
Don Reply
In biology, a pathogen (Greek: πάθος pathos "suffering", "passion" and -γενής -genēs "producer of") in the oldest and broadest sense, is anything that can produce disease. A pathogen may also be referred to as an infectious agent, or simply a germ. The term pathogen came into use in the 1880s.[1][2
Zainab
A virus
Commander
Definition of respiration
Muhsin Reply
respiration is the process in which we breath in oxygen and breath out carbon dioxide
Achor
how are lungs work
Commander
where does digestion begins
Achiri Reply
in the mouth
EZEKIEL
what are the functions of follicle stimulating harmones?
Rashima Reply
stimulates the follicle to release the mature ovum into the oviduct
Davonte
what are the functions of Endocrine and pituitary gland
Chinaza
endocrine secrete hormone and regulate body process
Achor
while pituitary gland is an example of endocrine system and it's found in the Brain
Achor
what's biology?
Egbodo Reply
Biology is the study of living organisms, divided into many specialized field that cover their morphology, physiology,anatomy, behaviour,origin and distribution.
Lisah
biology is the study of life.
Alfreda
Biology is the study of how living organisms live and survive in a specific environment
Sifune
Got questions? Join the online conversation and get instant answers!
Jobilize.com Reply

Get Jobilize Job Search Mobile App in your pocket Now!

Get it on Google Play Download on the App Store Now




Source:  OpenStax, Nanomaterials and nanotechnology. OpenStax CNX. May 07, 2014 Download for free at http://legacy.cnx.org/content/col10700/1.13
Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google Inc.

Notification Switch

Would you like to follow the 'Nanomaterials and nanotechnology' conversation and receive update notifications?

Ask