Ehrenfest models

Ehrenfest models are simplified mathematical systems used to study how particles, like molecules, distribute themselves over time. Imagine two containers connected by a small opening, with particles moving randomly between them. Over time, the number of particles in each container fluctuates until reaching a balance. These models help scientists understand the probabilistic behaviors of particles and how systems approach equilibrium, illustrating ideas in statistical mechanics and thermodynamics. They serve as conceptual tools to analyze how order and randomness coexist in physical systems.