The problem of determining thermodynamic properties of gaseous
systems in which real-gas effects must be considered can be greatly
simplified through use of existing ideal-gas theories for the
processes of dissociation and ionization. Since, however, the
ideal dissociating gas theory neglects ionization effects and
the ideal ionizing gas theory does not take into account dissociation,
an additional assumption must be made in order to use these two
theories within a single system experiencing both effects. The
added assumption which is made is that the processes of dissociation, single ionization, and higher levels of ionization all occur
independently of one another though in a definite order within the
system. With this linearizing assumption of independent gas processes the ideal gas theories then can be applied within their
respective ranges of application in order to calculate the thermodynamic properties of any system under equilibrium
condions, provided the ranges of application can be determined. Neither
the ideal dissociating gas theory nor the ideal ionizing gas
theory explicitly defines the pressure-temperature region throughout
which the theory is applicab1e. In the present work an analytic expression is developed which gives the limiting temperature
as a function of pressure for the ideal dissociating gas theory. The method is then generalized in the ionization range so as to provide pressure-temperature boundaries for all levels of
ionization within the assumption of independent first-level,
second-level, and higher-level ionization processes.
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