How Well Do We Know Atomic Motions of Simple Liquids?

Abstract

Microscopic motions in molten potassium spanning three frequency decades are studied by neutron-scattering techniques. These comprise well-defined density oscillations and stochastic particle rearrangements and both are modeled on microscopic grounds. While vibratory motions are shown to share characteristics with those of their parent crystals, dynamic correlations between a diffusing particle and its neighbors can be accounted for only semiquantitatively.