Collisional plasma theory

Collisional plasma theory describes how charged particles—such as electrons and ions—in a plasma interact mainly through collisions. These collisions influence plasma properties like electrical conductivity, temperature, and stability. When particles collide frequently, the plasma behaves more like a fluid, with predictable flow and energy transfer patterns. This theory helps scientists understand phenomena in natural plasmas, like those in stars or the Earth's ionosphere, and in man-made applications such as fusion reactors. Essentially, it explains how particle interactions due to collisions shape the overall behavior and characteristics of plasma systems.