The formation of shock waves in a dense gas using a molecular-dynamics type technique

Abstract

The formation of shock waves in. dense argon is studied using a numerical technique related to the molecular-dynamics approach. The kinetic and total pressures, density, temperature and mass velocity are calculated when a simulated tungsten piston is driven into the stationary gas. It is found that the pressure generated is similar to that found using binary collision assumptions, however the temperature is lower and the density much higher than under more rarefied conditions. Results are also given for the same experiments when the generating piston is composed of dense argon atoms. It is shown that the results are almost independent of the type of piston material and that the shock structure is a function of the gas interparticle force law only. The reflexion of a spherically imploding shock wave in dense argon is also examined and it is found that the shock wave reflects before reaching the centre due to high tangential stresses. Some data is also given, upon the velocity distribution and wall pressure fluctuations.