Numerical study of the transverse supersonic flow of a diatomic rarefied gas past a plate

The two-dimensional supersonic rarefied gas flow past an infinite plate placed normally to the flow is analyzed. The gas possesses rotational degrees of freedom. The problem is stated for a model kinetic equation and is solved by applying a second-order accurate implicit conservative finite-difference method. The gas parameters correspond to nitrogen. The results are compared with those obtained for a monatomic gas. The influence exerted by the rotational degrees of freedom and the boundary conditions at the plate’s surface on the aerodynamic characteristics of the plate and the flow pattern is illustrated.