Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

A Full-Wave Model For A Binary Gas Thermosphere: Effects Of Thermal Conductivity And Viscosity, Michael P. Hickey Ph.D., R. L. Walterscheid, G. Schubert

Publications

The thermosphere is diffusively separated and behaves as a multiconstituent gas wherein individual species in static equilibrium are each stratified according to their individual scale heights. Gravity waves propagating in the thermosphere cause individual gases to oscillate with different amplitudes and phases. We use a two-gas (N2 and O) full-wave model to examine the roles of thermal conductivity, viscosity, and mutual diffusion on the wave-induced characteristics of both gases. In the lower thermosphere, where the gases are relatively tightly coupled, the major gas (N2) controls the minor gas (O) response. At higher altitudes, the gases become thermally and inertially decoupled, …