Non-linear dynamics of a rarefied ionized gas

One-dimensional quasi-neutral flows of a rarefied plasma are considered. It is pointed out that such flows are analogous to hydrodynamic flows of an ideal fluid. Attention is given to self-similar plasma flows without a magnetic field, the origin of singularities in one-dimensional flows, and the one-dimensional motion of a plasma in a magnetic field. The origin and development of the oscillatory state of the plasma is discussed, taking into account small perturbations of the quasi-neutral motion, aspects of hydrodynamic breaking, kinetic breaking, and the structure of the discontinuities in a moving plasma with a magnetic field.