Cluster-size evolution in a coagulation-fragmentation system

Abstract
We derive a differential equation for the time evolution of the cluster mean size in a system of particles in which both coagulation and fragmentation are occurring. Both stable and unstable solutions exist. For the stable case the equilibrium mean size, number density, and characteristic relaxation time scale with the magnitude of the coagulation and fragmentation kernels and the total primary particle concentration, with exponents related to the homogeneities of the two kernels. For large displacements from equilibrium the size varies with a power law in time, whereas for small displacements the system relaxes exponentially.

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