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When you set the derivative with respect to v equal to zero, and
solve for v you should get a function in terms of k, T, and m.<br>
<br>
Think way back to gen chem and the kinetic theory of gases -- the
velocity distribution function is a function of T and m where k is
the Boltzmann constant.<br>
<br>
This is one of those places where you are welcome to use Mathematica
(or your calculator) to take the derivatives and then just write the
equations down on your paper.<br>
<br>
<br>
On 08/28/2012 10:53 PM, wrote:
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cite="mid:CA765D0D95A04D449667AFA14377899C555B5CE056@MERCERMAIL.MercerU.local"
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<div style="direction: ltr;font-family: Tahoma;color:
#000000;font-size: 10pt;">Dr. Pounds,
<br>
<br>
I have some questions on the first problem (#85 in the Steiner
book). <br>
<br>
I know I have to find where the first derivative is zero and the
second derivative is less than zero.
<br>
<br>
Can I ignore all of the other variables besides v and simplify
it to f(x)=v^2*e^(-v^2)? That doesn't seem like it would give me
an accurate velocity, but I don't know another way to do it.
<br>
<br>
Also, should we be able to do this derivative by hand and do you
need to see the steps in our work?
<br>
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<br>
<pre class="moz-signature" cols="72">--
Andrew J. Pounds, Ph.D. (<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:pounds@theochem.mercer.edu">pounds@theochem.mercer.edu</a>)
Associate Professor of Chemistry and Computer Science
Mercer University, Macon, GA 31207 (478) 301-5627
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