Application of a simple variational principle to the kinetic theory of gases

Abstract

The coefficient of the thermal conduction of an ideal monatomic gas is calculated by means of a simple variational principle. Our result agrees with the previous ones, but our method of calculation is based on the use of Hermite polynomials which are more widely known than the Sonine polynomials, are odd or even depending on their index n, and this fact enables to perform some calculations easily, especially the terms involving integrals, since the integration limits are symmetrical.