Brownian motion of microspheres in binary liquid mixtures

Authors

Cindy Liza C. Esporlas ⋅ PH National Institute of Physics, University of the Philippines Diliman
Giovanni A. Tapang ⋅ PH National Institute of Physics, University of the Philippines Diliman
Caesar A. Saloma ⋅ PH National Institute of Physics, University of the Philippines Diliman

Abstract

The dynamics of a probe particle undergoing Brownian motion is utilized to discriminate different binary liquid mixtures. Brownian motion statistics depends on liquid viscosity that also varies when two or more liquids are mixed together. Motion dynamics is a function of the diffusion coefficient, D and the mean square displacement, MSD that is derived from the probe particle trajectory. The motion of microspheres in nanopure water, technical grade ethanol, and 50% (volume fraction) aqueous ethanol solutions, is investigated experimentally. Comparing computed D values from trajectories of micro-spheres in nanopure water and technical grade alcohol show that different liquids can be differentiated using Brownian motion. D is a measurable quantity that can be used to determine the viscosity of different liquids and liquid mixtures.

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Issue

2010: Proceedings of the 28th Samahang Pisika ng Pilipinas Physics Congress

Article ID

SPP-2010-PA-14

Section

Poster Session PA

Published

2010-10-25

How to Cite

[1]

CLC Esporlas, GA Tapang, and CA Saloma, Brownian motion of microspheres in binary liquid mixtures, Proceedings of the Samahang Pisika ng Pilipinas 28, SPP-2010-PA-14 (2010). URL: https://proceedings.spp-online.org/article/view/SPP-2010-PA-14.