Abstract
A Morse function is used for the volume‐dependent energy term in the Helmholtz free energy of a Debye solid. The consequent form of the Mie‐Grüneisen equation of state is obtained by using an adjusted form of the Slater relation for the Grüneisen parameter. Theoretical Hugoniot curves calculated for aluminum,copper, and silver are in excellent agreement with the experimental curves over a broad pressure range.