Real gas effects in non-equilibrium gas dynamics

Using the linearized system of equations due to de Groot and Mazur governing the acoustic non-equilibrium phenomena in a viscous, heat-conducting gas, we have in this paper given an exhaustive treatment of the problem of wave propagation. More specifically, the normal mode analysis brings out a qualitative and quantitative account of the role played by the non-equilibrium parameter in coupling the sound and thermal modes. In order to obtain a clear picture regarding the interaction of various waves and their dependence on the dissipative processes, we have, using Whitham's technique, arrived at several remarkable features concerning their damping, diffusion and relative times of dominance.