On transient relativistic thermodynamics and kinetic theory
- 10 October 1977
- journal article
- Published by The Royal Society in Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series A. Mathematical and Physical Sciences
- Vol. 357 (1688) , 59-75
- https://doi.org/10.1098/rspa.1977.0155
Abstract
In the conventional Onsager formulation of non-equilibrium thermodynamics the Fourier heat conduction law is parabolic, and permits arbitrarily large propagation velocities for temperature discontinuities. While embarassing in a non-relativistic theory, this is unacceptable in a relativistic one. This paper presents a detailed discussion of the thermodynamics and (in the dilute gas limit) kinetic theory of such transients. When proper account of the two length scales involved is taken into account, the theory becomes hyperbolic; propagation velocities for a dilute gas never exceed √3/5 c = 0.775 c , where c is the speed of light.This publication has 4 references indexed in Scilit:
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