Rarefied Gas Flow on a Semi-Infinite Flat Plate

Abstract

The rarefied gas flow on a semi-infinite flat plate is studied from the point of view of the kinetic theory of gases. The flow is assumed to be at a low speed, incompressible and at constant temperature. The molecular velocity distribution function is split into two regions. The Krook equation is used as the basic equation which is used to derive the full range moment equations. The derived moment equations are solved in terms of Laplace transformation. The qualitative characters of the flow is analized rather than quantitative characters, since the simplified half-range distribution function, the Krook equation in stead of the Bo1tzmann equation, and the Oseen approximation are used. The results obtained show that the slip flow theory is adequate at the far down stream of the leading edge, and the effect of the free molecule flow has to take into account as the point considered approaches to the leading edge.