Propagation of ultrasonic sound waves in dissipative dilute gases and extended irreversible thermodynamics (Q1119119)

The effects of dissipative phenomena, with emphasis on nonlocal effects, on propagation and absorption of sound waves in a rarefied monoatomic gas are investigated. The study is performed within the framework of extended irreversible thermodynamics which raises the thermodynamic fluxes to the status of independent variables. The results are compared with recent theoretical and experimental works. Our theory is shown to be in good agreement with experimental values, especially in the range of high frequencies.