2000/04/05 by M. Huthmann, Martin Huthmann, J. A. G. Orza +6
Engineering · Materials Science · Physics and Astronomy · #Dust and Plasma Wave Phenomena #FOS: Physical sciences #Granular flow and fluidized beds #Material Dynamics and Properties #Statistical Mechanics (cond-mat.stat-mech) #cond-mat.stat-mech
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.cond-mat/0004079
11 pages, 13 eps figures, to be published in Granular Matter
arxiv created 2000/04/05 · openalex publication_date 2000/04/05 · arxiv updated 2009/11/30 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
The time dependence of deviations from the Gaussian state in a freely cooling homogeneous system of smooth inelastically colliding spheres is investigated by kinetic theory. We determine the full time dependence of the coefficients of an expansion around the Gaussian state in Generalized Laguerre polynomials. Approximating this system of equations to sixth order, we find that the asymptotic state, where the mean energy T follows Haff's law with time independent cooling rate, is reached within a few collisions per particle. Two-dimensional molecular dynamics simulations confirm our results and show exponential behavior in the high-energy tails.