Brownian movements refers to the random movement of particles suspended in a liquid or gas. The word is spelled with the IPA phonetic transcription [braʊniən] which indicates that the "b" is pronounced as a voiced bilabial plosive, the "r" is pronounced as a voiced alveolar approximant, the "ow" is pronounced as a diphthong, the "n" is pronounced as a voiced alveolar nasal, and the final syllable "-ian" is pronounced with an unstressed schwa sound. The word is named after the Scottish botanist Robert Brown who first observed the phenomenon.
Brownian movements, also known as Brownian motion, refer to the random, erratic motion exhibited by tiny particles or molecules suspended in a fluid medium. Named after the Scottish botanist Robert Brown, who first observed this phenomenon in 1827, it is considered a fundamental concept in physics and provides evidence for the existence of atoms and molecules.
The Brownian movements arise due to collisions and interactions between the particles and the surrounding fluid molecules. These collisions cause the particles to continuously change their direction and speed, resulting in a seemingly chaotic motion.
The movement of particles in Brownian motion is characterized by several key properties. Firstly, it is random, meaning that there is no discernible pattern or regularity in the motion. Secondly, it is continuous, as the particles undergo constant motion rather than staying still. Additionally, the motion is isotropic, meaning that the particles move in all directions with equal probability.
Brownian movements have significant applications across various scientific fields. In physics and chemistry, it provides insights into diffusion, as the random motion of particles contributes to the overall spreading of substances. In biology, it plays a crucial role in processes such as molecular transport within cells and the movement of microscopic organisms. Moreover, Brownian motion has applications in engineering, particularly in areas like fluid dynamics and the design of microfluidic devices.
Rapid oscillations of minute particles suspended in certain fluids; brunonian movements.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "Brownian movements" is derived from the surname of the renowned Scottish botanist Robert Brown, who first described this phenomenon in 1827. Brown noticed the erratic, random motion of particles suspended in a fluid under a microscope. He observed that the particles were in constant motion, exhibiting a jittery, irregular path. These motions were later named "Brownian movements" in honor of Robert Brown's pioneering work.