Simple and accurate expressions for radial distribution functions of hard disk and hard sphere fluids

Abstract

Analytical expressions for radial distribution function (RDF) are of critical importance for various applications, such as development of the perturbation theories. Theoretically, RDF expressions for odd-dimensional fluids can be obtained by solving the Percus-Yevick integral equations. But for even-dimensional cases, such as the hard disk (2D) fluid, analytical expressions are infeasible. The only 2D RDF is a heuristic expression which provides acceptable estimations for an intermediate and low density range. In this work, we employ a simple and empirical expression for the 2D RDF and the 3D RDF based on an approach proposed for the 3D RDF. The parameters are determined in such a way that the final RDF expressions are thermodynamically consistent, namely the pressure and the isothermal compressibility constraints are both satisfied. The new RDFs for the 2D and 3D hard spheres are highly accurate for the entire density range up to the first-order phase transition points. The predictions of the first coordination numbers are consistent with simulation results for the 3D fluid. Finally, by using the 2D RDF with a primitive second-order perturbation theory, the pressure-volume-temperature relation and vapor-liquid equilibrium are calculated for the 2D Lennard-Jones fluid. Comparisons with the simulation data show promising results.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:

• Radial distribution function
• hard disk fluid
• hard sphere fluid
• Lennard–Jones fluid
• perturbation theory

Acknowledgement

The author is grateful to the reviewer for a careful review of the manualscript and detailed suggestions that helped to improve the quality of the final version of the paper.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).