Estimate the low-frequency perpendicular dielectric constant of the equatorial…

PHYSICS · Multi-part · Fermi University Physics · Plasma Physics · Laboratory, industrial and space plasmas · The plasma state and single-particle motion

Plasma Physics, Ch One particle in given fields: gyration and the guiding-centre drifts

Problem

Estimate the low-frequency perpendicular dielectric constant

\epsilon_\perp = 1 + \rho_m/\epsilon_0B^2

of the equatorial ionospheric F region, taken as singly ionised atomic oxygen (

\mathrm{O^+}

, mass number

16

) of density

n = 1.0\times10^{12}\,\mathrm{m^{-3}}

in a magnetic field

B = 3.0\times10^{-5}\,\mathrm{T}

. ((a)) Estimate

\rho_m/\epsilon_0B^2

to one significant figure. ((b)) State roughly where this value sits between the ITER-core value (

\sim1.7\times10^3

) and the solar-wind value (

\sim4\times10^7

) quoted for the same quantity.

Browse the problem library