Abstract
An approximate binary collision procedure is devised for the loaded-sphere molecular model and is used with Bird's direct simulation technique for computer experiments on diatomic gases. The collision procedure is tested by simulating the approach to equilibrium of a constant-speed gas of loaded spheres and good agreement with Jeans's (1904) theoretical prediction is obtained. The procedure is then used to study the structure of normal shock waves in the diatomic gas, giving mean velocity, density and temperature profiles. It is found that the present procedure consumes considerably more computer time than comparable simulations of monatomic gases.