After completing this course the student should be able to:
- Give the kinetic theory definitions of the macroscopic continuum properties/variables of a gas.
- State the requirements on a fluid flow for the continuum assumption to be a reasonable approximation.
- Describe the concepts of cross-section and mean free path in a gas and derive an expression for the mean free path.
- Use the mean free path concept to derive an approximate expression for viscosity and heat conductivity in a gas in terms of kinetic variables.
- State the Boltzmann equation and, make an interpretation of the different terms involved.
- State the Maxwellian distribution and when it is valid.
- Give examples of some typical kinetic effects not described by the Navier-Stokes equations.
- Give the main principles of a Direct Simulation Monte-Carlo Simulation (DSMC).
- Describe in broad outline the Chapman-Enskog method to derive the Navier-Stokes equations from the Boltzmann equation at small Knudsen numbers, in particular how viscosity and heat conductivity can be found from the molecular interactions.