The effect of the two-term Lorentz approximation on the Townsend-Huxley diffusion experiment

Abstract

The equation of change for the electron distribution function in the Townsend-Huxley experiment is solved considering both elastic and inelastic collisions at constant collisional frequencies. The usual Lorentz two-term approximation is extended to include the next term and the effect on transport coefficients is considered. Criteria for the validity of the two-term approximation are established.