ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Maxwell–Stefan diffusion

Maxwell-Stefan diffusion is like when you have a group of different colored marbles in a jar and they start to mix together. Each color of marble has its own unique size and shape, so they move differently and at different speeds. Some colors might be able to move through the mix faster than others, while some might get stuck and not be able to move at all.

Similarly, when you have two gases in a container, they start to mix together through a process called diffusion. Maxwell-Stefan diffusion is a way of understanding how different gases mix through this process. Each gas molecule has its own unique size and shape, which affects how it moves through the container.

For example, let's say we have two gases in a container: oxygen (O2) and nitrogen (N2). Oxygen molecules are smaller and more mobile, so they will move through the container faster than nitrogen molecules. However, they might also get stuck on nitrogen molecules that are larger and not able to move as quickly.

Maxwell-Stefan diffusion helps us understand how different gases move and mix together based on their size and shape. It's like sorting through a jar of marbles to see which colors will move the most and which ones will get stuck. By understanding how these gases mix, scientists can develop strategies for separating them or controlling their movements in certain chemical reactions.