Experimentation on stochastic trajectories: From Brownian motion to inertial confined dynamics

• Published in: American journal of physics 2024-04, Vol.92 (4), p.280-289
• Main Authors: Brigante, Azul María, Révora, Corina, Volonnino, Gabriel Fernando, Perez, Marcos Damián, Pasquini, Gabriela, Capeluto, María Gabriela
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Estimating techniques; Physics; Statistical analysis; Stochastic models; Stochastic processes
• ISSN: 0002-9505; 1943-2909
• DOI: 10.1119/5.0146444

Statistical physics courses typically employ abstract language that describes objects too small to be seen, making the topic challenging for students to understand. In this work, we introduce a simple experiment that allows conceptualizing some of the underlying ideas of stochastic processes through direct experimentation. Students analyze stochastic trajectories of beads in a bouncing bed of smaller beads subjected to an external periodic drive. The analysis of the trajectories involves the application of a vast toolkit of statistical estimators that are useful in many fields of physics. Editor's Note: This paper shows how colliding beads can be used to demonstrate stochastic trajectories. While the experiment is simple, students can analyze the trajectories using techniques with a range of sophistication, making the experiment appropriate for students at a wide range of levels.