Keep every explanation and worked example on the page. Nothing moves or plays by itself, and the larger instruments load only when you ask.
Brownian motion · Synthetic experiment
Where does a wandering particle end up?
Every particle here follows the same rule and no two paths look alike. Watch where they finish and two things are true at once: the leftward and rightward moves cancel, so the average displacement stays near zero, while the typical distance from the start keeps growing. Telling those two apart is what this instrument is for.
A reproducible trial
The tracer ensemble
Compare the movement of individual tracers with the statistics of the whole ensemble. Changing when or how you observe the trial does not generate different paths.
Predict before the numbers
If you watch four times as long, does the typical distance from the start become 4 times as large, 2 times as large, or unchanged?
Predict before the numbers
In a liquid twice as viscous, after the same time, does the typical distance become half as large, about 0.71 times as large, or unchanged?
The result appears when you choose, say you have one in mind, or skip.
These buttons use the accepted trial, not unsaved draft edits. The requested time must lie on its recording grid.
Same-seed viscosity comparisons use common random numbers, not independent trials.
Displacements from a common origin, not a literal microscope image. Lines connect recorded positions and do not supply an instantaneous velocity. 0 / 400 endpoints lie outside this view; none are removed from the ensemble.
Static worked example
Model note
Temperature (temperature), Dynamic viscosity (viscosity), Particle radius (particleRadius), Observation interval (observationInterval) and Number of tracers in the trial (ensembleSize): Host calculation, by the site's own reference code. Computed in bm01.acceptedInputs.
Boltzmann's constant (boltzmannConstant): Host calculation, by the site's own reference code. Computed in constants.modernSI2019.
Diffusion coefficient (diffusionCoefficient): Host calculation, by the site's own reference code. Computed in diffusion.stokesEinsteinD.
RMS displacement (one dimension) (rmsDisplacement1d), RMS coordinate displacement after 1 s (lambdaX1s) and RMS coordinate displacement after 60 s (lambdaX60s): Host calculation, by the site's own reference code. Computed in diffusion.rmsDisplacement.
Model total mean square (modelSecondMoment), Model mean distance (modelMeanNorm) and Model RMS distance (modelRmsNorm): Host calculation, by the site's own reference code. Computed in diffusion.moments.
Tracer positions at the end of the interval (tracerPositions), Coordinates along the drawn traces (traceCoordinates) and Random draws in the recording (recordingDraws): Host calculation, by the site's own reference code. Computed in diffusion.recordTracers.
Model apparent coordinate speed (modelApparentSpeed): Host calculation, by the site's own reference code. Computed in diffusion.apparentSpeed.
Sample apparent coordinate speed (sampledApparentSpeed), Signed coordinate mean, compared with its sampling band (signedMean) and Mean-square coordinate displacement, compared with its sampling band (meanSquare): Host calculation, by the site's own reference code. Computed in diffusion.ensembleMoments.
Times along the drawn traces (traceTimes), Times on the comparison plot (plotTimes), Sample signed mean at each plotted time (plotSampleMean), Sample total mean square at each plotted time (plotSampleMsd), Sample RMS distance at each plotted time (plotSampleRms), Sample apparent speed at each plotted time (plotSampleApparent), Model signed mean at each plotted time (plotModelMean), Model total mean square at each plotted time (plotModelMsd), Model RMS distance at each plotted time (plotModelRms), Model apparent speed at each plotted time (plotModelApparent) and Whether the existing recording was reused (reusedRecording): Host calculation, by the site's own reference code. Computed in bm01.measure.
Edges of the histogram bins (histogramEdges), Count in each histogram bin (histogramCounts), Share of the sample in each histogram bin (histogramFrequencies), Samples below the plotted range (underflow), Samples above the plotted range (overflow) and Kolmogorov distance (kolmogorovDistance): Host calculation, by the site's own reference code. Computed in diffusion.displacementHistogram.
Model probability of each histogram bin (histogramModel): Host calculation, by the site's own reference code. Computed in diffusion.intervalProbability.
Sampling band for the signed coordinate mean (meanBand), Sampling band for the total mean square (secondMomentBand), Lower edge of the sampling band for the signed mean (signedMeanLowerBand), Upper edge of the sampling band for the signed mean (signedMeanUpperBand), Lower edge of the sampling band for the mean square (meanSquareLowerBand) and Upper edge of the sampling band for the mean square (meanSquareUpperBand): Host calculation, by the site's own reference code. Computed in diffusion.ensembleMomentBands.
Sample signed mean (sampleMean), Mean absolute coordinate displacement (sampleMeanAbsolute), Sample mean square (sampleMeanSquare), Sample coordinate RMS (sampleRms), Sample mean distance (sampleMeanNorm), Sample total mean square (sampleMeanSquareNorm) and Sample RMS distance (sampleRmsNorm) (secondary results): Host calculation, summarizing the tracer positions above. Computed in diffusion.ensembleMoments.
Seed 1905: with the same settings, the same seed replays the same trial.
Computed from the settings last applied (settings revision 1, result 1).
Not modeled: Molecular collisions (no collision bath owns the displacement).
Accepted synthetic trial: 400 tracers, 1 second, coordinate mean 0.0029237 micrometres and coordinate RMS 0.98602 micrometres.
Accepted trial: seed 1905; 400 tracers; 293.15 K; viscosity 1 mPa·s; radius 0.5 μm. Observe at 1 s in a 10-second recording. Constants: modern SI 2019.
t = 1.00 s, true rate (1 s/s)
At the natural rate a tracer moves about 0.93 μm along one axis in 1 s (root mean square; scale bar: 1 μm)Simulation view: accelerated snapshot across 10 s
View only: no calculation or new draws.
This plot appears when you choose an answer above, say you have one in mind, or skip.Solid bars: the synthetic sample. Dashed line: probabilities of the same bins under the unbounded model, not a density curve. Counts beyond the plotted range: 0 left, 0 right.
Whole-ensemble statistics: signed coordinate x, total over 1 coordinate
Diffusion coefficient (model)
0.42944 μm²/s
Signed mean (sample)
0.0029237 μm (modern SI 2019)
Mean absolute coordinate displacement
0.77808 μm (modern SI 2019)
Mean-square coordinate displacement
0.97223 μm²
Coordinate RMS (sample / model)
0.98602 / 0.92676 μm(modern SI 2019)
Mean distance (sample / model)
0.77808 / 0.73945 μm (modern SI 2019)
Total mean square (sample / model)
0.97223 / 0.85888 μm²
Apparent coordinate speed (sample / model)
0.98602 / 0.92676 μm/s
Sampling bands under the model
99.9% per comparison, not a simultaneous guarantee across the table or repeated observations. These ranges are calculated from the model variance, not estimated from the observed sample, and are not uncertainties of the model itself.
Signed coordinate mean (μm): −0.15248 to 0.15248
Total mean square (μm²): 0.67299 to 1.0729
Hundreds of particles each take their own random path from the same start. Their average position stays near the start, but their typical distance from it keeps growing, as the square root of the time.
Section 4 assumes that each particle moves independently of every other, and that one particle's moves in successive short intervals τ are independent of each other, a displacement Δ being as likely as −Δ. From these assumptions the density of particles obeys a diffusion equation, and for particles that all start at x = 0 its solution is a Gaussian with mean zero and mean square 2Dt. The typical displacement along one axis is therefore λx = √(2Dt). It grows as the square root of the time, which is why four times the observation interval doubles the spread. The instrument draws such an ensemble and sets its sample mean and RMS beside the model's.
Follow one particle through one short interval τ. It moves by some amount Δ, as often to the right as to the left, so over many particles the average of Δ is zero. The average of Δ² is not zero, since a square is never negative; Section 4 writes that average as 2Dτ, which is how it defines the diffusion coefficient D. Now follow the particle for a longer time t. It makes n = t/τ such moves, one after another, and its position x is their sum. The average of a sum is the sum of the averages, so the average of x is still zero. For the average of x², write out the square of the sum: it holds each Δ² once and every product of two different moves. Two different moves are independent and each averages to zero, so every such product averages to zero as well, and only the n squares remain. The average of x² is therefore n × 2Dτ = (t/τ) × 2Dτ = 2Dt, and the typical distance is its square root, λx = √(2Dt). Four times the time gives √4 = 2 times the spread. Einstein's own numbers follow the same rule: for particles 0.001 mm across in water at 17 °C he found about 0.8 micron in one second and about 6 microns in one minute, because √60 is about 7.7 and 0.8 × 7.7 ≈ 6. This route adds the moves one at a time; Einstein's route in Section 4 reaches the same Gaussian through the diffusion equation.
Modern qualifications
Einstein printed λx = √(2Dt) in Section 4 and, putting in his Section 3 result D = (RT/N) · 1/(6πkP), λx = √t · √((RT/N) · 1/(3πkP)) in Section 5. In his notation k is the fluid's viscosity, not Boltzmann's constant, and P is the particle's radius. He did not claim to have explained an observed motion: the paper opens by saying these motions may be the Brownian motion, but that the reports available to him were too imprecise to judge. Langevin reached the same mean square in 1908 from an equation of motion with a random force, and Perrin's measurements of 1908 and 1909 used Einstein's formula to estimate N.
Inspect the model behind this trial
These equations describe the same accepted trial as the plots and table. Select a symbol or an operation to see what it means; model predictions are not sample estimates.
Select a term or operation. In the formula, Down enters an operation, Up returns to its parent, and Left/Right move between siblings. Escape clears selection. Tab leaves the formula.
Each term and operation, in words
Static worked example
These values are for the settings last applied, not for edits you have not applied yet.
Apparent coordinate speed
0.92676 μm/s
Coordinate RMS displacement
0.92676 μm
Observation interval
1 s
Read the equation aloud in words
Apparent coordinate speed equals the model coordinate root mean square displacement divided by the observation interval.
This quotient depends on the observation interval. It is not instantaneous physical velocity. At zero interval the quotient is undefined, even though the displacement is zero.
Model assumptions and every term’s meaning
The same one-coordinate ideal Brownian model as the RMS relation.
A positive observation interval is required for the quotient.
Lines joining recorded points are a rendering convention, not a velocity measurement.
Define the observable
This defines an interval-dependent comparison. It does not introduce a physical instantaneous Brownian velocity. Read the prerequisite
Apparent coordinate speed
A distance-per-interval statistic. It is not a molecular collision speed. Read the prerequisite
Divide by the same interval
The distance grows as the square root of time, while the denominator grows linearly. The quotient therefore decreases as the interval grows. Read the prerequisite
Model coordinate RMS
The same accepted one-coordinate model displacement used by the neighboring RMS equation. Read the prerequisite
Positive observation interval
A zero interval yields no apparent-speed value. The interface keeps the explanation instead of fabricating zero or infinity. Read the prerequisite
Every term’s units were checked when this page was built. That checks the units, not the model. This equation is written for this edition in modern notation, not transcribed from the paper.
is thermal energy divided by the viscous drag coefficient.
Select a term or operation. In the formula, Down enters an operation, Up returns to its parent, and Left/Right move between siblings. Escape clears selection. Tab leaves the formula.
Each term and operation, in words
Static worked example
These values are for the settings last applied, not for edits you have not applied yet.
Diffusion coefficient
0.42944 μm²/s
Boltzmann constant
1.3806 × 10−23J/K
Absolute temperature
293.15 K
Dynamic viscosity
1 mPa·s
Particle radius
0.5 μm
Read the equation aloud in words
The diffusion coefficient equals the Boltzmann constant times the absolute temperature, divided by six times pi times the dynamic viscosity times the particle radius.
Thermal energy competes with viscous drag. Doubling viscosity halves the diffusion coefficient while reducing RMS displacement only by the square root of two. Radius means radius, not diameter.
Model assumptions and every term’s meaning
Dilute, approximately spherical tracers with no-slip Stokes drag in a homogeneous Newtonian liquid.
Wall corrections, interactions, inertia, and observation noise are not included.
The modern SI 2019 constant set is used; this is not a historical inversion exercise.
An ideal model
This equation assumes the dilute spherical tracer and Stokes-drag model; dimensional consistency alone does not establish those assumptions. Read the prerequisite
Diffusion coefficient
A squared-distance-per-time coefficient. This value comes from the accepted model calculation. Read the prerequisite
Why divide by drag?
Increasing the denominator reduces diffusivity at fixed thermal energy. This is a model dependence, not a rule that every larger quantity must reduce motion. Read the prerequisite
Thermal energy scale
Boltzmann constant times absolute temperature supplies energy per particle. Read the prerequisite
A known modern constant
The SI 2019 constant set supplies this value. It must not be treated as independent historical evidence when trying to infer molecular number. Read the prerequisite
Absolute temperature
Use kelvin. The laboratory holds viscosity as an independently supplied parameter. Read the prerequisite
The drag coefficient
Six pi times viscosity times radius is Stokes drag per speed for an isolated sphere in the assumed low-Reynolds regime. Read the prerequisite
Dynamic viscosity
Viscosity is in the denominator. Doubling it at fixed temperature and radius halves D, not the RMS displacement. Read the prerequisite
Particle radius
The input is a radius, not a diameter. Confusing them changes the predicted coefficient by a factor of two. Read the prerequisite
Every term’s units were checked when this page was built. That checks the units, not the model. This equation is written for this edition in modern notation, not transcribed from the paper.
Select a term or operation. In the formula, Down enters an operation, Up returns to its parent, and Left/Right move between siblings. Escape clears selection. Tab leaves the formula.
Each term and operation, in words
Static worked example
These values are for the settings last applied, not for edits you have not applied yet.
Coordinate RMS displacement
0.92676 μm
Diffusion coefficient
0.42944 μm²/s
Observation interval
1 s
Read the equation aloud in words
The model coordinate root mean square displacement equals the square root of two times the diffusion coefficient times the observation interval.
Squaring measures spread without cancellation between directions. Taking the positive square root turns squared distance back into a distance. Four times the observation interval gives twice the model RMS, not four times.
Model assumptions and every term’s meaning
Independent, zero-mean Gaussian displacement increments in a homogeneous liquid.
One-coordinate model statistic, not a measured speed or a sample estimate.
The overdamped regime is assumed rather than established from additional particle and fluid measurements.
A model relation
This equality concerns the ideal model. A finite synthetic ensemble fluctuates around it; its sample RMS is displayed separately. Read the prerequisite
Coordinate RMS
One coordinate, not the total three-dimensional distance. Model RMS and sample RMS have different meanings. Read the prerequisite
Why a square root?
Two D t has units of squared length. Its positive square root has units of length and defines the typical displacement. Read the prerequisite
Build the mean square
Independent zero-mean increments add their variances. The definition of D makes the coordinate mean square equal to 2 D t. Read the prerequisite
Diffusion coefficient
This is the accepted model diffusivity, not a rate inferred from the synthetic data. Read the prerequisite
Observation interval
This is the interval used for the displayed displacement, not the simulation frame rate. Re-observing the trial preserves its paths. Read the prerequisite
Every term’s units were checked when this page was built. That checks the units, not the model. This equation is written for this edition in modern notation, not transcribed from the paper.
RMS distance over recorded time
This plot appears when you choose an answer above, say you have one in mind, or skip.Solid: this sample. Dashed: the model. The time axis is logarithmic. Zero sample values, if any, remain in the table but cannot appear on a log scale. All times refer to the same recorded paths.Read the comparison as a table
RMS distance (μm)
Time (s)
Sample
Model
0.02
0.13038
0.13106
0.04
0.18556
0.18535
0.1
0.30368
0.29307
0.2
0.40416
0.41446
0.4
0.61388
0.58613
1
0.98602
0.92676
2
1.3495
1.3106
4
1.9035
1.8535
10
2.8723
2.9307
What is, and is not, being simulated
These synthetic paths are Gaussian independent increments for dilute spherical tracers in a homogeneous Newtonian liquid. They do not simulate individual molecular collisions, inertia, interactions, sedimentation, walls, localization error or motion blur.
Low Reynolds number and observation times long compared with momentum relaxation are assumed, not verified from fluid and particle data. Lines between samples are a drawing convention; they do not define an instantaneous Brownian speed.
The three latent coordinates are recorded together. Axis, dimension, observation and statistic changes reuse those coordinates. The histogram and statistics use every tracer, including those outside the view.
No FrankenSim WASM artifact produced this trial. Integer random draws follow the pinned Philox mapping; Gaussian conversion uses this host’s math functions and is not claimed bitwise identical across browser engines.
Logical recording draws: 1200000. This result was assembled from a newly generated deterministic recording.
The site’s own reference code for this law, in TypeScript. It computes the numbers above when the page runs it, and it is what the page uses wherever a FrankenSim result is not available.
stokesEinsteinD · src/physics/reference/diffusion/distributions.ts · this site’s source, as built · sha256:a41fa1ff39026dbed9a701b368028012995d1835d9acebb2e32d5010f47404ec
This is the function that produced the numbers shown now.
In words
Take the temperature and the gas constant, divide by the number of molecules in a mole to get the energy scale of one molecule, then divide by the drag on a sphere of this radius in a liquid of this viscosity.
/** SI: temperature K, viscosity Pa s, radius m, output m2/s. No ambient constants. */exportfunctionstokesEinsteinD({T,eta,a,medium="liquid",}:{T:number;eta:number;a:number;medium?:"liquid"|"gas"},set:ConstantSet,):Evaluation{if(![T,eta,a].every((v)=>Number.isFinite(v)&&v>0))returnoutside("diffusionCoefficient","stokesEinsteinD","T > 0, eta > 0, a > 0","Enter positive finite temperature, viscosity, and particle radius.","input",set,);if(medium!=="liquid")returnoutside("diffusionCoefficient","stokesEinsteinD","stokes-gas-medium","The liquid Stokes-drag model does not include the slip correction needed in a gas.","model",set,);constk=thermalConstant(set);returnnumber("diffusionCoefficient","stokesEinsteinD",(k.value*T)/(6*Math.PI*eta*a),set,undefined,true,);}
One worked example of this calculation. Constant set: Declared 1905-plan inputs.
The site’s own reference code for this law, in TypeScript. It computes the numbers above when the page runs it, and it is what the page uses wherever a FrankenSim result is not available.
rmsDisplacement · src/physics/reference/diffusion/distributions.ts · this site’s source, as built · sha256:6d2d381222179a43397683f83d95eecf9dab253844f72dfcaa1eaab1302222eb
This function computes the listed outputs when it runs.
In words
The typical one-dimensional displacement is the square root of twice the diffusion coefficient times the observation interval.
exportfunctionrmsDisplacement(D:number,t:number):Evaluation{if(!validDt(D,t))returnoutside("rmsDisplacement1d","rmsDisplacement","D >= 0 and t >= 0","Diffusivity and elapsed time must be finite and nonnegative.",);returnnumber("rmsDisplacement1d","rmsDisplacement",scale(D,t),undefined,undefined,D>0&&t>0,);}
The site’s own reference code for this law, in TypeScript. It computes the numbers above when the page runs it, and it is what the page uses wherever a FrankenSim result is not available.
apparentSpeed · src/physics/reference/diffusion/distributions.ts · this site’s source, as built · sha256:1f2137435fdc15b0a9b5c91cc4dafba680e8d52b0f5143fdbefdfa9945f6baec
This function computes the listed outputs when it runs.
In words
Divide the model RMS displacement by the observation interval. The quotient depends on how long you watch.
exportfunctionapparentSpeed(D:number,tau:number):Evaluation{if(!validDt(D,tau)||tau===0)returnoutside("apparentSpeed","apparentSpeed","D >= 0 and tau > 0","An apparent speed needs a positive observation interval.",);returnnumber("apparentSpeed","apparentSpeed",(Math.SQRT2*Math.sqrt(D))/Math.sqrt(tau),undefined,undefined,D>0,);}
The site’s own reference code for this law, in TypeScript. It computes the numbers above when the page runs it, and it is what the page uses wherever a FrankenSim result is not available.
ensembleMoments · src/physics/reference/diffusion/tracers.ts · this site’s source, as built · sha256:1d87c8e69590b8871bcc7a6390089003f59d0b80bfc7eb1919a57dec661743e6
This function computes the listed outputs when it runs.
In words
Average the recorded displacements of every tracer, not a viewport subset.
Implementation
/** Compensated sums over ALL members, never a viewport-selected subset. Row-major M by d. */exportfunctionensembleMoments({displacements,d,dt,viewport,}:{displacements:Float64Array;d:number;dt?:number;viewport?:ViewportBounds;}):Computation<EnsembleMoments>{if(!(displacementsinstanceofFloat64Array)||![1,2,3].includes(d)||displacements.length===0||displacements.length%d!==0||displacements.length>30000||!displacements.every(Number.isFinite))returninvalid(["displacements","d"],"Provide finite, row-major displacements with one, two or three coordinates per tracer.",);constM=displacements.length/d,sums=newFloat64Array(d*3+1),corrections=newFloat64Array(d*3+1);functionadd(i:number,v:number){constcorr=corrections[i]??0,sum=sums[i]??0,y=v-corr,t=sum+y;corrections[i]=t-sum-y;sums[i]=t;}for(leti=0;i<M;i++){letnorm=0;for(letj=0;j<d;j++){constv=displacements[i*d+j];if(v===undefined)returnfailure("A required displacement coordinate was undefined.");if(v!==0&&v*v===0)returnfailure("A nonzero squared displacement is below the representable range.");add(j*3,v);add(j*3+1,Math.abs(v));add(j*3+2,v*v);norm=Math.hypot(norm,v);}add(d*3,norm);}constaxes=Array.from({length:d},(_,j)=>{constmean=(sums[j*3]??0)/M;constmeanAbsolute=(sums[j*3+1]??0)/M;constmeanSquare=(sums[j*3+2]??0)/M;return{mean,meanAbsolute,meanSquare,rms:Math.sqrt(meanSquare),};});constmeanSquareNorm=axes.reduce((s,a)=>s+a.meanSquare,0);if(![...sums,meanSquareNorm].every(Number.isFinite))returnfailure("The moment reduction exceeded the numerical range.");constrmsNorm=Math.sqrt(meanSquareNorm);letinsideCount:number|undefined;letoutsideCount:number|undefined;if(viewport){letinc=0;letoutc=0;for(leti=0;i<M;i++){letisInside=true;for(letj=0;j<d;j++){constv=displacements[i*d+j]??0;constminVal=viewport.min[j]??-Infinity;constmaxVal=viewport.max[j]??Infinity;if(v<minVal||v>maxVal){isInside=false;break;}}if(isInside)inc++;elseoutc++;}insideCount=inc;outsideCount=outc;}constapparentSpeed=dt!==undefined&&Number.isFinite(dt)&&dt>0?(d===1?(axes[0]?.rms??0):rmsNorm)/dt:undefined;return{kind:"accepted",data:{M,axes,meanNorm:(sums[d*3]??0)/M,meanSquareNorm,rmsNorm,...(apparentSpeed!==undefined?{apparentSpeed}:{}),...(insideCount!==undefined&&outsideCount!==undefined?{insideCount,outsideCount}:{}),},};}
The site’s own reference code for this law, in TypeScript. It computes the numbers above when the page runs it, and it is what the page uses wherever a FrankenSim result is not available.
displacementHistogram · src/physics/reference/diffusion/tracers.ts · this site’s source, as built · sha256:746f24cee7b8573b8a986cd8e072b4786549eba47dffca106dbd38582d670c7b
This function computes the listed outputs when it runs.
In words
Count how many recorded displacements fall in each interval of the histogram.
Implementation
exportfunctiondisplacementHistogram(values:Float64Array,edges:Float64Array,):Computation<{counts:Float64Array;underflow:number;overflow:number;total:number}>{if(values.length===0||values.length>10000||edges.length<2||edges.length>1001||!values.every(Number.isFinite)||!edges.every((v,i)=>{if(!Number.isFinite(v))returnfalse;if(i===0)returntrue;constprev=edges[i-1];returnprev!==undefined&&v>prev;}))returninvalid(["values","edges"],"Use finite samples and strictly increasing histogram edges.",);constcounts=newFloat64Array(edges.length-1);letunderflow=0,overflow=0;constfirstEdge=edges[0];constlastEdge=edges[edges.length-1];if(firstEdge===undefined||lastEdge===undefined)returninvalid(["edges"],"Histogram edges array must contain at least two finite bounds.");for(constvalueofvalues){if(value<firstEdge){underflow++;continue;}if(value>lastEdge){overflow++;continue;}letlo=0,hi=edges.length-1;while(hi-lo>1){constmid=(lo+hi)>>>1;constedgeMid=edges[mid];if(edgeMid!==undefined&&value<edgeMid)hi=mid;elselo=mid;}constbin=Math.min(lo,counts.length-1);constprevCount=counts[bin];if(prevCount!==undefined){counts[bin]=prevCount+1;}}return{kind:"accepted",data:{counts,underflow,overflow,total:values.length}};}
Every histogram count, including tails
Coordinate intervals in μm; half-open bins, with the final endpoint included
Interval
Count
Below the plotted range
0
−4.6338 to −4.4021
0
−4.4021 to −4.1704
0
−4.1704 to −3.9387
0
−3.9387 to −3.707
0
−3.707 to −3.4753
0
−3.4753 to −3.2437
0
−3.2437 to −3.012
0
−3.012 to −2.7803
1
−2.7803 to −2.5486
1
−2.5486 to −2.3169
0
−2.3169 to −2.0852
7
−2.0852 to −1.8535
7
−1.8535 to −1.6218
6
−1.6218 to −1.3901
16
−1.3901 to −1.1584
12
−1.1584 to −0.92676
15
−0.92676 to −0.69507
28
−0.69507 to −0.46338
24
−0.46338 to −0.23169
39
−0.23169 to 0
39
0 to 0.23169
43
0.23169 to 0.46338
37
0.46338 to 0.69507
26
0.69507 to 0.92676
32
0.92676 to 1.1584
23
1.1584 to 1.3901
17
1.3901 to 1.6218
8
1.6218 to 1.8535
6
1.8535 to 2.0852
6
2.0852 to 2.3169
3
2.3169 to 2.5486
1
2.5486 to 2.7803
1
2.7803 to 3.012
1
3.012 to 3.2437
1
3.2437 to 3.4753
0
3.4753 to 3.707
0
3.707 to 3.9387
0
3.9387 to 4.1704
0
4.1704 to 4.4021
0
4.4021 to 4.6338
0
Above the plotted range
0
Total, including both tails
400
Separate controls and workers; both start with the same worked-example seed. Choose a new trial to compare independently seeded realizations.
Not modeled: Molecular collisions (no collision bath owns the displacement); The ballistic short-time regime and inertia; Hydrodynamic interactions; Walls and near-wall corrections; Sedimentation; Non-Newtonian or active fluids; Rotation; Polydispersity; A temperature law for viscosity; Localization error and motion blur (BM-08); Gas-phase slip.
The model’s signed mean is zero; a finite synthetic sample fluctuates around it. The mean square remains positive as the cloud spreads. Four times the observation interval gives twice the model RMS displacement, not four times the RMS.
The apparent-speed trap
τλx=τ2D
Dividing the typical displacement by the observation interval produces a quantity that grows as the interval shrinks. It is an interval-dependent apparent speed, not an instantaneous velocity of a tracer. At zero elapsed time it is not defined.
The accepted sample and the model curves are not experimental evidence. Historical constants remain in preparation.
A grain's velocity can be read off its path under the microscope.
The distance a grain covers grows as the square root of the time, so a distance divided by a time depends on how often you look. The paper works with the displacement in a stated time, not with a velocity.