Effusion

[edit] Effusion of gases

In chemistry, effusion is the process where individual molecules flow through a hole without collisions. This will occur if the diameter of the hole is considerably smaller than the mean free path of the molecules. According to Graham's law, the rate at which gases effuse is dependent on their molecular weight; gases with a lower molecular weight will effuse more quickly than gases with a higher molecular weight. For two gases at the same temperature (and having the same specific heat), and thus having the same kinetic energy, the average molecular speed of each gas can be found using the equation <math>E=(1/2) mv^2</math>. Thus, lighter molecules will have a higher speed. This will result in more molecules passing through the hole per unit time. This is why a balloon filled with low molecular weight hydrogen will deflate, if left alone for a reasonable amount of time, faster than one full of higher molecular weight oxygen.

In literature, effusion is the process of "opening the flood gates" to one's emotions, so to speak.
In medicine, an effusion is an abnormal collection of fluid in a body cavity or space, e.g. pleural effusion.
In music, Effusion a cappella is the name of an a cappella group at McGill University in Montreal, Canada blending the sounds of gospel and hip-hop.

This is an external link to Graham's law which provides more explanation about effusion. Note: this external link provides other or more information than the wikipage about Graham's law.fr:Effusion pl:Efuzja (fizyka) pt:Efusão (química)