Kinetic theory of hard spheres

Abstract

Kinetic equations for the hard-sphere system are derived by diagrammatic techniques. A linear equation is obtained for the one-particle-one particle equilibrium time correlation function and a nonlinear equation for the one-particle distribution function in nonequilibrium. Both equations are nonlocal, noninstantaneous, and extremely complicated. They are valid for general density, since statistical correlations are taken into account systematically. This method derives several known and new results from a unified point of view. Simple approximations lead to the Boltzmann equation for low densities and to a modified form of the Enskog equation for higher densities.