Force on a moving object in an ideal quantum gas

TL;DR

This paper analyzes the force experienced by a moving object in an ideal quantum gas, revealing quantum statistical effects cause deviations from classical temperature dependence, with force behavior differing between Bose and Fermi gases at low temperatures.

Contribution

It provides a theoretical analysis of the velocity-dependent force on an object in an ideal quantum gas, highlighting quantum statistical effects on temperature scaling.

Findings

Force scales with ^2 at low temperatures in quantum gases.

Force vanishes at T=0 in Bose gases, remains finite in Fermi gases.

Quantum statistics alter classical ^{1/2} temperature dependence.

Abstract

We consider a heavy external object moving in an ideal gas of light particles. Collisions with the gas particles transfer momentum to the object, leading to a force that is proportional to the object's velocity but in the opposite direction. In an ideal classical gas at temperature $T$, the force acting on the object is proportional to $\sqrt{T}$. Quantum statistics causes a deviation from the $\sqrt{T}$-dependence and shows that the force scales with $T^2$ at low temperatures. At $T=0$, the force vanishes in a Bose gas but is finite in a Fermi gas.