Dynamics of Ionized Gases

Ionized gas dynamics is discussed in terms of two coupled equations for the one- and two-particle distribution functions. The equations have been obtained previously by multiple integration of the Liouville equation and a formal expansion in the specific volume. The two-particle equation is solved for a multicomponent plasma in terms of two operators which depend on the one-particle functions. It is shown that these operators have a simple interpretation and lend an easy insight into the correlation mechanism. If one neglects the time dependence of the one-particle functions which occur in the operators, then the operators can be obtained explicitly. This procedure is shown to be valid for plasmas with ``smooth'' velocity distributions and no large inhomogeneities. When velocity instabilities exist, the correlation function is subject to growing oscillation. The ultimate effect of this instability is not clear.