A proton and an electron sit in a horizontal magnetic field in a coronal loop above…
PHYSICS · Multi-part · Fermi University Physics · Plasma Physics · The plasma state and single-particle motion · The plasma state and single-particle motion
Plasma Physics, Ch One particle in given fields: gyration and the guiding-centre drifts
Problem
A proton and an electron sit in a horizontal magnetic field B=1.0×10−2T in a coronal loop above the Sun's surface, where the gravitational acceleration is g=274ms−2 directed vertically downward. Treat g as a force per unit mass acting on each particle, exactly as E acts on a charge, so that the general force drift vF=F×B/qB2 applies with F=mg.
((a)) Find the magnitude of the gravitational drift of the proton.
((b)) Find the magnitude of the gravitational drift of the electron.
((c)) State which species dominates the current this drift produces, and why.