Distribution Function

From ExoDictionary
Jump to: navigation, search
This definition page has been automatically generated.
You can help ExoDictionary by expanding, updating, or correcting it.


This autostub has not yet had its initial copyediting proof and may contain significant formatting and even factual errors. You can improve Exodictionary by cleaning up the page markup and verifying that the definition is correct and then removing this tag.


This autostub has not yet had its initial categorization proof and may be categorized incorrectly. You can improve Exodictionary by removing inappropriate categories and then removing this tag.


Distribution Function

</dt>
The density function or number of particles per unit volume of phase space. The distribution function is a function of the three space coordinates and the three velocity coordinates. </dd>
A point in phase space represents a given position in ordinary space and a given velocity in velocity space. Therefore, the distribution function evaluated at such a point is the number or average density of particles per cubic length and cubic velocity that have the position and the velocity which is represented by the point. Distribution function represents the average density over a reasonably long time, or the most probable distribution of particles at a particular time. </dd>

References

This article is based on NASA's Dictionary of Technical Terms for Aerospace Use