Abstract
The propagation of a strong shock wave in a perfect, three-dimensional crystalline lattice is studied by means of molecular-dynamical calculations. The results show that behind the shock front there is a region of thermal relaxation which increases with time. The thermally relaxed region, therefore, propagates with a velocity lower than that of the shock front. It is believed that the wave-like propagation of this thermally equilibrated region is a natural extension of second sound from the conventional low-temperature, low-pressure regime to the high-temperature, high-pressure regime. The implication of this phenomenon on PVT calculations from shock-wave data is discussed briefly.