different charge vastly different masses behave differently many circumstances various types plasma specific waves instabilities emerging result velocity distribution '''maxwellian''' collisions usually lead maxwellian velocity distribution gas particles '''often non maxwellian''' collisional interactions relatively weak hot plasmas external forces drive plasma far local equilibrium ideal plasma three factors define ideal plasma ref name hazeltine ref '''the plasma approximation''' plasma approximation applies plasma parameter representing number charge carriers within debye sphere much
Natural science Physics Plasma physics