LOCALLY MAXWELLIAN DISTRIBUTIONS IN A RELATIVISTIC GAS,
Abstract
The possible types of locally Maxwellian distributions are determined for a relativistic gas. In the absence of external forces the number of free parameters is eleven, a reduction by two from the number obtained for the nonrelativistic case. The close correspondence of the relativistic and nonrelativistic solutions reveals which two parameters must be zero. Severe restrictions also are placed on the possible types of forces which are consistent with local equilibrium and the requirements of special relativity. Special attention is directed to the local equilibria open to a gas of charged particles subject to an electromagnetic field. An explicit solution is obtained for the distribution function of such a gas when the fields are constant. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1967
- Accession Number
- AD0662906
Entities
People
- Don Kelly
Organizations
- Yale University