On weak discontinuities through thermally conducting and dissociating gases

Using singular surface theory, the phenomena associated with the uniform and nonuniform propagation of weak discontinuities through thermally conducting and dissociating gases is studied. The basic differential equations governing the criteria for decay or blow up of these discontinuities is obtained. It turns out that growth and decay of weak discontinuities are derived and solved completely. The the thermal conduction and dissociation allow the existence of a singular surface carrying a weak discontinuity which grows into a shock and the role of dissociation and thermal conduction is to cause rapid damping in the formation of this shock.