Size-distribution in sudden breakage by the use of entropy maximization

Abstract

We derive the number and weight distributions of fragment pieces (of linear size a) that are obtained in a sudden fragmentation process. The information‐entropic derivation is based on a fragment energy e(a) which incorporates the physical mechanisms and material properties responsible for breakage. For not too large fragments the number distribution follows a power law a^−Θ, where Θ is between 2 and 5, depending on the size range and circumstances of the breakage. Our results are compared with other theories of size distributions.