Kinetic Theory and Hydrodynamics for a Low Density Gas

Abstract

Many features of real granular fluids under rapid flow are exhibited as well by a system of smooth hard spheres with inelastic collisions. For such a system, it is tempting to apply standard methods of kinetic theory and hydrodynamics to calculate properties of interest. The domain of validity for such methods is a priori uncertain due to the inelasticity, but recent systematic studies continue to support the utility of kinetic theory and hydrodynamics as both qualitative and quantitative descriptions for many physical states. The basis for kinetic theory and hydrodynamic descriptions is discussed briefly for the special case of a low density gas.