Kinetic energy and temperature profiles of shockwaves in solids

Tsai and MacDonald (1973, 1978) published a critical analysis of the authors' molecular dynamic simulation of shockwave propagation. Most of their criticism was directed to the authors' definition of temperature and kinetic energy. It is shown that their analysis is incorrect and that the authors' calculation of kinetic energy is correct and the definition of temperature is reasonable. Most of the misunderstanding arose from the other not understanding that all the authors' calculations were performed in a stationary frame of reference. It is further shown that, when there is a variation in the planar velocity, the Tsai-MacDonald local kinetic temperature is neither equal to the local kinetic energy (expressed as temperature) nor does it have the characteristics of temperature.