SOME SOLUTIONS OF THE BOLTZMANN EQUATION
Abstract
One-particle velocity distribution functions for a dilute gas, are found by solving the Boltzmann equation as an initial value problem. The departure of the distribution from the corresponding normal solution is developed in a series, each term being subject to relaxational decay. The pace of this process, called the kinetic stage, is set by the inver es of the lowest positive eigenvalues of the linearised collision operator O, which serve as relaxation times. During the hydrodynamical stage which follows, the inverse eigenvalues of O act as coefficients in the distribution function. he transition from the kinetic to the hydrodynamical stage is marked by the establishment of equilibrium between the effects of streaming and of collisions on the transport currents. During the hydrodynamical development, these currents retain stationary values proportional to the existing gradients of mean velocity and temperature. ( uthor)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 06, 1961
- Accession Number
- AD0267035
Entities
People
- M.j. Offerhaus
Organizations
- University of Wisconsin–Madison