On the approach to equilibrium in kinetic theory

Abstract

Definition, existence and properties of the equilibrium states, existence and uniqueness of the approach to the equilibrium states, the Onsager reciprocity relations, and existence of hydrodynamic stage in the approach to the equilibrium states are the problems which are discussed in this paper for dynamics defined by the family of kinetic equations of the Enskog‐Vlasov type. A modification of the Chapman‐Enskog method for quantitative calculations involving the kinetic equations considered is suggested.