The Effect of the Variability of Density on the Propagation of Heat in a Gas

The qualitative and quantitative effect of compressibility on the propagation of heat in an ideal gas in the absence of mass forces is investigated. Based on the assumption of the constancy of pressure throughout a closed cavity, a physical and a mathematical models are constructed for a flat layer of gas. Criteria of similarity are revealed which characterize the propagation of heat in the gas being compressed. Using the flat layer as an example, the processes of the propagation of heat in gas and solid are compared.