A three‐parameter markov model for sedimentation

Considering velocity perturbations as white noise and assuming exponential decay of velocities to the mean velocity μ, we obtain a two‐parameter Langevin equation. The conditional and steady‐state probability density functions for instantaneous velocity are used to develop theoretical expressions for variables which can be measured experimentally. Support for the model is adduced from published data and our own experimental results. The parameter μ is obtained from the mean of the distance travelled in time T during steady state and the two Langevin parameters from its correlation coefficient and variance. Precision and bias in experimentation are discussed.