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A particle of mass m has a random velocity, v, which is normally distributed with parameters μ = 0 and σ. Find the density function of the kinetic energy, e = 1/2mv?

User Jmasterx
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Final answer:

The density function of the kinetic energy can be found by determining the probability distribution of the random velocity v and substituting it into the formula for kinetic energy.

Step-by-step explanation:

The density function of the kinetic energy can be found by determining the probability distribution of the random velocity v and then substituting it into the formula for kinetic energy. Since v is normally distributed with mean μ = 0 and standard deviation σ, the probability density function (PDF) of v is given by:

f(v) = (1/σsqrt(2π)) * e^((-v^2)/(2σ^2))

To find the density function of the kinetic energy e, we substitute the expression for v into the formula for kinetic energy:

e = (1/2)mv^2 = (1/2)m(μ + σz)^2

where z is a standard normal random variable. By applying the change of variable formula for probability density functions, we can find the density function of e.

User Egor Sazanovich
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