Calculation of the Thermophysical Properties of Ground State Sodium Atoms

Transport properties of dilute monatomic gases depend on the two body interaction potentials between the atoms. When two ground state sodium atoms interact, they can follow either of two potential energy curves corresponding to the Na ₂ molecule in the X ¹ Σ ⁺ _g or the ³ Σ ⁺ _u . Transport collision integrals and second virial coefficients of monatomic sodium have been calculated by accurately representing quantum mechanical potential energy curves with the Hulburt-Hirschfelder potential. The generally good agreement of calculated viscosities and second virial coefficients with the available experimental viscosities and with previously calculated virial coefficients provides further evidence that this approach can be used for accurate estimates of thermophysical properties under conditions where experimental data are sparse or unavailable. © 1987 American Institute of Physics.