Approximating kinetic equation for weakly nonequilibrium states of polyatomic gases

The aim of the present paper is to construct an approximate kinetic equation that, first, takes into account correctly the possibility of excitation of both rotational and vibrational degrees of freedom of the molecules and, second, is valid for any law of intermolecular interaction.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Mekhanika Zhidkosti i Gaza, No. 2, pp. 183–187, March–April, 1982.We thank M, Ya. Alievskio for helpful consultations.