3.1. Flux Equation and Error Functions

Try these first

1. 1.

   Define the term diffusion.

   Hint

   Consider how the smell of perfume spreads in a room.

2. 2.

   What does a boundary condition represent in a system?

   Hint

   Think about how a river bank defines water flow.

3. 3.

   What does the term 'flux' refer to in environmental science?

   • A. Movement of contaminants
   • B. Concentration of pollutants
   • C. Rate of mass transfer

   Hint

   Think about how we measure flow rates in rivers.

4. 4.

   True or False: Error functions are used to model the behavior of concentrations over time.

   • True
   • False

   Hint

   Recall how we previously discussed their importance.

5. 5.

   Given a sediment concentration and a diffusion coefficient, calculate the expected concentration of contaminants after a specified time using the error function.

   Hint

   Use the specified time to adjust parameters in your calculations.

6. 6.

   Discuss how different boundary conditions could alter the outcomes of contaminant transport predictions in an environmental model.

   Hint

   Think about the physical changes in the environment and their influence on sediment transport.