Influence of Gravity on Atomic Mobility in a Liquid

Abstract Measurements of diffusion and thermodiffusion in liquids are very sensitive to convection caused for example by buoyancy. To reduce the impact buoyancy-driven convection, benchmark experiments performed microgravity conditions. Here, we discuss general influence gravity on atomic mobility. The gravitational Péclet number length can be used assess this influence. They show that processes atoms a liquid is not affected Earth’s force but process dominated thermal energy atoms. Data from under different conditions ranging $$10^{-5}g$$ 10 - 5 g $$10^6g$$ 6 summarized. confirm interdiffusion only influenced accelerations orders magnitude larger than gravity.