Comparisons and applications of the full two-fluid plasma model to asymptotic two-fluid models

Summary form only given. Asymptotic approximations are applied to the full two-fluid plasma system. The approximations include ignoring electron inertia, setting the speed of light to infinity, and ensuring charge neutrality. Applying all three approximations together leads to the Hall-MHD model and causes the Whistler wave speed in this system to grow without bound which severely restricts the time step as the solution is resolved. Including the electron inertia causes the Whistler wave to properly asymptote to the electron cyclotron frequency. The two asymptotic models studied here apply both the infinite speed of light and the quasi- neutrality asymptotic approximations with and without electron inertia. The two-fluid effects of these asymptotic fluid models are compared to the full two-fluid model by comparing the analytical dispersion relations and through applications such as the electro-magnetic plasma shock and magnetic reconnection. The physical effects that are gained or lost from applying these approximations are studied to determine the realm of applicability of each of these fluid models.