Aspects of the Structure of Strong Shock Waves

The direct simulation Monte Carlo method has been used to study the structure of strong shock waves in a gas of point center of repulsion molecules. The values obtained for the maximum density slope thicknesses agree with the predictions of the Mott-Smith method. The results for the effect of molecular model on the rate of change of this thickness with shock Mach number are in agreement with the common prediction of the Mott-Smith and Navier-Stokes theories. The velocity distribution function within the wave is illustrated by computer display photographs with the molecules represented as dots in the plane of longitudinal and lateral velocity. This also gives qualitative support to the bimodal model. However, it is found that the density profile has a significant degree of asymmetry, contrary to the bimodal prediction. Results are also presented for the profiles of the higher moments of the distribution function.