Francisco Javier Uribe

Entropy density behavior poses many problems when we study non-equilibrium situations. In particular, the local equilibrium hypothesis (LEH) has played a very important role and is taken for granted in non-equilibrium problems, no matter how extreme they are. In this paper we would like to calculate the Boltzmann entropy balance equation for a plane shock wave and show its performance for Grad’s 13-moment approximation and the Navier–Stokes–Fourier equations. In fact, we calculate the correction for the LEH in Grad’s case and discuss its properties.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.101.019903

In this work we present a phenomenological model to look for a better understanding of the shock-wave structure in dilute monatomic gases. The model is based on the principles of linear irreversible thermodynamics, where we have been aware of the flow anisotropy caused by the shock-wave propagation. Then a new coupling appears between the stress tensor and the heat flux. The comparisons with the experimental data available for argon as well as the direct simulation Monte Carlo method calculations are done and shown to support our proposal.

We use the Navier-Stokes-Fourier constitutive equations to study plane shock waves in dilute gases. It is shown that the experimental information on the normalized density profiles can be fit by using the so-called soft sphere model, in which the viscosity and thermal conductivity are proportional to a power of the temperature.

It is unquestionable that the concept of entropy has played an essential role both in the physical and biological sciences. However, the entropy production, crucial to the second law, has also other features not clearly conceived. We all know that the main difficulty is concerned with its quantification in non-equilibrium processes and consequently its value for some specific cases is limited. In this work we will review the ideas behind the entropy production concept and we will give some insights about its relevance.