Velocity distribution of water molecules in pores under microwave electric field

In order to understand the transport of water in pores under the influence of a microwave electric field the velocity distribution function of the water molecules is thought to be a key quantity. First, bulk water under the influence of an alternating electric field is studied by using a kinetic equation. As rotation occurs on a faster time scale and translation on a slower time scale it is argued that the velocity distribution for the bulk water is a Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution. Next, the non-equilibrium molecular dynamics simulation method is applied to study the behaviour of TIP3P water molecules under microwave electric field in a slit pore with thermostated walls. The water heats up till it reaches a steady state temperature. It is found that in the transient process as well as in the steady state the velocity distribution function is a Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution for the corresponding temperature. Hence, there is no convective mass transport due to a direct influence of the electric field.