Numerical solutions of the Krook kinetic equation

Abstract

Because of the relative simplicity of the statistical model for molecular interactions, numerically exact solutions of the Krook kinetic equation can be obtained. Comparison of exact and approximate solutions of the model equation allows the evaluation of approximate procedures for solving the Boltzmann equation. Exact and approximate numerical solutions have been obtained for Couette flow with heat transfer and the structure of a plane shock wave. The present paper summarizes the work of the author in obtaining the numerically exact solutions.