The aim of this book is to give a physical treatment of the kinetic theory of gases and magnetoplasmas, covering the standard material in as simple a way as possible, using mean-free-path arguments when possible and identifying problem areas where received theory has either failed or has fallen short of expectations. Examples are provided by strong shock waves, ultrasonic waves (high Knudsen numbers), and transport across strong magnetic fields. Examples of problem areas provided by strong shock waves, ultrasonic waves (high Knudsen numbers), and transport across strong magnetic fields. One of the paradoxes arising in kinetic theory concerns the fluid pressure. Collisions are necessary for a fluid force to result, yet standard kinetic theory does not entail this, being satisfied to bypass Newton's equations by defining pressure as a momentum flux. This omission usually has no adverse consequences, but with increasing Knudsen number, it leads to errors. This text pays particular attention to pressure, explaining the importance of allowing for its collisional nature from the outset in developing kinetic theory.

1. Basic concepts 2. The Maxwellian velocity distribution 3. Elementary kinetic theory 4. Particle diffusion 5. Intermediate kinetic theory 6. Advanced kinetic theory 7. Boltzmann's kinetic equation 8. Second-order kinetic theory 9. Dynamics of charged particles 10. Kinetic theory for magnetoplasmas 11. Transport across strong magnetic fields Appendix References Index

L. C. Woods , Professor Emeritus, Balliol College, University of Oxford

`the book presents a treatment of the kinetic theory of gases and magnetoplasmas in such a way that it covers the standard material in a way as simple as possible .,.. The book seems to radiate a deep conviction - which is appreciated by the reviewer - that the development of the kinetic theory needs not only calculational skills and computational magic in evaluating the content of the theory in model arrangements, but equally, if not in excess, deep insight into the physical processes.' I. Abonyi, Besprechungsbelege, February 1994 |d 13/01/1998