Use of the Boltzmann Equation for the Study of Ionized Gases of Low Density. I

The Boltzmann equation is studied for the case of a low-density ionized gas in an externally applied electromagnetic field. Particle-particle collisions are neglected, but long-range collective interactions are included. In Part I the static problem is treated in detail. For this case the Boltzmann equation is solved using individual-particle orbits---an approach which emphasizes the physical basis of the solution.