Debye Shielding

How plasma screens electric fields

Full Analysis

Intel Stream Decrypted

Debye Shielding is the phenomenon where free charges in plasma reorganize to screen external electric fields. The Debye length (λD) determines the scale over which this screening occurs. Beyond this distance, individual charges become indistinguishable due to collective plasma effects.

Strategic_Takeaway

"Plasma screens electric fields over the Debye length scale."

Universal_Constants

debye length formula

λD = √(ε₀kT/nq²)

typical ionosphere

~1-10 mm