On the Applicability of Fick's Law to Diffusion in Inhomogeneous Systems

Journal Article · Thu Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 2005 · European Journal of Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1088/0143-0807/26/5/023· OSTI ID:989627

van Milligen, B Ph ^[1]; Bons, P D ^[2]; Carreras, Benjamin A ^[3]; Sanchez, Raul ^[4]

---

1. Asociacion EURATOM-CIEMAT
2. University Tubingen, Institute Geowissensch
3. ORNL
4. Universidad Carlos III, Madrid, Spain

Two alternative expressions exist for the diffusive flux in inhomogeneous systems: Fick's law and the Fokker-Planck law. Here we re-examine the origin of these expressions and perform numerical and physical experiments to shed light on this duality. We conclude that in general the Fokker-Planck expression should be conceded preference, in spite of the fact that Fick's law seems to be more popular.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)
• Sponsoring Organization: SC USDOE - Office of Science (SC)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-00OR22725
• OSTI ID: 989627
• Journal Information: European Journal of Physics, Journal Name: European Journal of Physics Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 26; ISSN 0143-0807; ISSN 1361-6404
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
DIFFUSION
DUALITY
ORIGIN