A Kinetic Theory Approach To The Structure Of Shock Waves In A Fully Ionied Gas

The multi-component continuous approach for the investigation of the gasdynamics of a plasma is presented. More information about the flow properties of a plasma can be obtained than from the classical magnetohydrodynamic approach. Also, the resulting equations appear to be more easily solved than the Blotzmann equation of classical kinetic theory. The basic macroscopic conservation equations for a non-reacting multi-component plasma are presented. The fluid properties of each component are referred to the mean velocity of that component. Therefore, no limitations are placed on the magnitude of the diffusion velocities. The effects of electric and magnetic fields are included. The equations for a two-component mixture are used to study the structure of a shock wave in a fully-ionized hydrogen gas. It is assumed that the momentum exchange and energy exchange between the ions and electrons are important because of the strong Coulomb forces present. (Author).