Campus Life

Physics of Wealth

A new discipline called “econophysics,” uses physics to explain wealth distribution. Proponents argue that people exchange money in random interactions much like atoms exchange energy in gas.Utah State University Macroeconomist Makoto Nirei supports the research but has doubts. He says the gas model suggests that people meet randomly and rob each other.
 
From “Why it is hard to share wealth,” by Jenny Hogan, New Scientist, March 12, 2005. For more information, contact Makoto Nirei, assistant professor, economics department, Utah State University, 435-797-2320.

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