The atoms do not collide with each other (an "OK" simplification for this case), but do collide with the mite. When they collide with the mite, both momentum and energy are conserved. The simulation is just that, a simulation of the real thing.

• The status window at the bottom of your browser tells you about the mass of the "mite" relative to the mass of the atoms, the number of atoms, the temperature, and the velocity of the mite.
• The Toggle View Mode button allows you to see or to not see the atoms (an option you don't have in the real experiment).
• The Toggle Physical Model button allows you to experiment with what the world would be like if matter would made out of atoms or "not-atoms," what I'm calling the "Smear" model.
• Bug work-around: if, after being in Smear mode, the atom doesn't go anywhere, change viewing mode to atom mode.

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• What is the effect of increasing/decreasing the temperature?
• What is the effect of raising/lowering the mite mass?
• How would you describe the mite's motion to someone who did not have access to this applet?
• Sketch the motion of the mite.
• Why does this motion imply atoms?

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