On the need for and the possibility of a unified description of kinetic and hydrodynamic processes (Q1309098)

The aim is to demonstrate the possibility of a unified description of kinetic and hydrodynamic processes on the basis of a generalized kinetic equation without the use of perturbation theory with respect to the Knudsen number. The derivation of the generalized kinetic equation is based on a concrete definition of a continuous medium in the kinetic and hydrodynamic description of nonequilibrium processes in a Boltzmann gas and in a fully ionized plasma. The equations of gas dynamics follow from the generalized kinetic equation. They take into account not only processes of viscosity and heat conduction, but also self-diffusion. The region of applicability of the equations of gas dynamics is discussed. Generalized kinetic equations are obtained for the distribution functions of the states of the electrons and ions of a partly ionized plasma. Kinetic equations for active media, and also in the theory of Brownian motion, are discussed.