<p>This is perhaps more of a physics question than an earth science one. Thus, answering with the caveat that I am not a practicing physicist:</p>

<p>Yes, it's possible. But it's VERY unlikely. Without doing the maths, I'm guessing "probably won't happen in the lifetime of the universe" unlikely. The reason for this is that there are a LOT of molecules in any macro-scale parcel of air, and a huge majority of them would all have to randomly move the same way at the same time. (plus, I'm guessing there are some Newton third-law, ie action &amp; reaction, reasons why a spontaneous mass movement wouldn't really work) </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-02-26T09:02:28.670Z
2017-02-26T09:02:28.670Z
Semidiurnal Simon
<p>Although air molecules have an average speed of about 1,500 km/h if there is no wind the air would stay still. The reason for that is that the directions of the molecules cancel each other out. </p>

<p>But is there a probability that wind arise because a majority of the molecules get the same direction? Or is this only theoretically possible?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-02-24T09:24:31.033Z
Please source or give background for the 1.500 km/h value, it's certainly not something most would be familiar with :-)
JeopardyTempest
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-02-24T09:30:26.703Z
(based upon [this](http://www.dummies.com/education/science/physics/using-the-kinetic-energy-formula-to-predict-air-molecule-speed/), I'm guessing you mean the European 1.500 [= 1,500 km/hr in US)?
JeopardyTempest
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-02-24T09:37:27.037Z
Molecular motion isn't an area of expertise, but getting enough molecules imbalanced would seem to be a very very very very (very) high number of standard deviations from the mean.  It seems it'd be like flipping a quintillion coins and getting 51% heads.  Seems like that's not asking for much, but you it is.
JeopardyTempest
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-02-24T14:50:35.847Z
no this is not possible not even in theory wind is the result of adding energy to the atmophere usualy by heating or cooling.a storm can not suddely happen in your livingroom whitout adding a lot of energy to the air.
trond hansen
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-02-24T21:19:03.740Z
Mechanical and/or thermal advection is necessary as @trondhansen put it right above.
Gemechu Fanta Garuma
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-02-25T00:47:27.597Z
I don't see why any of this makes it a bad question?
JeopardyTempest
<meteorology>
Can winds also arise due to a statistical probability that more air molecules suddenly gets an equal direction?
Marijn 
# Can winds also arise due to a statistical probability that more air molecules suddenly gets an equal direction?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-02-24)

Although air molecules have an average speed of about 1,500 km/h if there is no wind the air would stay still. The reason for that is that the directions of the molecules cancel each other out.

But is there a probability that wind arise because a majority of the molecules get the same direction? Or is this only theoretically possible?

**Tags:** meteorology

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Please source or give background for the 1.500 km/h value, it's certainly not something most would be familiar with :-)  
> **username_1**: (based upon [this](http://www.dummies.com/education/science/physics/using-the-kinetic-energy-formula-to-predict-air-molecule-speed/), I'm guessing you mean the European 1.500 [= 1,500 km/hr in US)?  
> **username_1**: Molecular motion isn't an area of expertise, but getting enough molecules imbalanced would seem to be a very very very very (very) high number of standard deviations from the mean.  It seems it'd be like flipping a quintillion coins and getting 51% heads.  Seems like that's not asking for much, but you it is.  
> **username_2**: no this is not possible not even in theory wind is the result of adding energy to the atmophere usualy by heating or cooling.a storm can not suddely happen in your livingroom whitout adding a lot of energy to the air.  
> **username_3**: Mechanical and/or thermal advection is necessary as @username_2 put it right above.  
> **username_1**: I don't see why any of this makes it a bad question?  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_4 on 2017-02-26. Score: 1

This is perhaps more of a physics question than an earth science one. Thus, answering with the caveat that I am not a practicing physicist:

Yes, it's possible. But it's VERY unlikely. Without doing the maths, I'm guessing "probably won't happen in the lifetime of the universe" unlikely. The reason for this is that there are a LOT of molecules in any macro-scale parcel of air, and a huge majority of them would all have to randomly move the same way at the same time. (plus, I'm guessing there are some Newton third-law, ie action & reaction, reasons why a spontaneous mass movement wouldn't really work)


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