Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- Physical constants
- Vector calculus identities
- 1 Space physics
- 2 Introduction to kinetic theory
- 3 Single particle motion and geomagnetically trapped particles
- 4 Magnetohydrodynamics
- 5 Solar physics
- 6 The solar wind
- 7 The solar wind interaction with planets and other solar system bodies
- 8 The magnetosphere
- Appendix
- Index
Preface
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 26 October 2009
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- Physical constants
- Vector calculus identities
- 1 Space physics
- 2 Introduction to kinetic theory
- 3 Single particle motion and geomagnetically trapped particles
- 4 Magnetohydrodynamics
- 5 Solar physics
- 6 The solar wind
- 7 The solar wind interaction with planets and other solar system bodies
- 8 The magnetosphere
- Appendix
- Index
Summary
This book is an introduction to the physics of the solar wind and magnetosphere. These regions of space are filled with charged particle gases called plasmas. The study of solar system plasmas is commonly called space physics. This book started as lecture notes for courses that I have taught at the University of Michigan and the University of Kansas. The book is an introductory textbook aimed at advanced undergraduate and graduate students who possess an undergraduate physics background but have not taken any plasma physics courses. An introduction to plasma physics, including the topic of magnetohydrodynamics, is included in order to make the book self-contained. Undergraduate-level electromagnetic theory and mechanics are extensively used, and the Appendix provides a very brief review of the first topic.
The book can be divided into three parts. The first part, consisting of Chapters 1 through 4, provides an introduction to plasma physics. In particular, Chapter 1 gives a brief introduction to space plasma physics, kinetic theory is discussed in Chapter 2, and Chapter 3 is concerned with single particle motion in electric and magnetic fields. Chapter 3 also contains material on energetic particle motion in the radiation belts. Magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) is introduced in Chapter 4. Examples dealing with phenomena in the solar wind and magnetosphere are provided. Students who have already taken a standard plasma physics course can skip over much of the first part of the book.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Physics of Solar System Plasmas , pp. xiii - xivPublisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 1997