Exact solutions of the Boltzmann equation

Journal Article · Sat Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1977 · Phys. Fluids; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.861780· OSTI ID:7093720

Krook, M; Wu, T T

The nonlinear Boltzmann equation for the relaxation to equilibrium of a homogeneous one-component gas, is considered for a class of collision models. The models are characterized by elastic cross sections inversely proportional to the relative speed, but with arbitrary dependence on center-of-mass scattering angle. The Boltzmann equation is solved exactly for a particular family of physically interesting initial distributions. The distribution functions are of the similarity form and consist of the product of a Maxwell function with ''time-dependent temperature'' and a linear function of v/sup 2/.

• Research Organization: Division of Engineering and Applied Physics, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138
• OSTI ID: 7093720
• Journal Information: Phys. Fluids; (United States), Vol. 20:10
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
BOLTZMANN EQUATION
ANALYTICAL SOLUTION
BOLTZMANN STATISTICS
COLLISION INTEGRALS
CROSS SECTIONS
DISTRIBUTION FUNCTIONS
GASES
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
EQUATIONS
FLUIDS
INTEGRALS
657006* - Theoretical Physics- Statistical Physics & Thermodynamics- (-1987)