Relativistic Kinetic Theory of a Simple Gas

Abstract

A consistent relativistic theory of transport processes in a simple gas is developed. The approach is the four-dimensional geometric one due to Synge. Scalar and vector eigenfunctions of the linearized collision operator are derived when the scattering cross section is a simple separable function of scattering angle and relative velocity (Maxwellian particles). The bulk viscosity and thermal conductivity are computed explicitly for this case.