Instructor Class Description

Time Schedule:

• Summer Quarter 2008
• Autumn Quarter 2008

Robert Holzworth
ESS 415
Seattle Campus

Space and Plasmas

Survey of various phenomena occurring in outer regions of Earth's atmosphere, ionosphere, magnetosphere, and Van Allen radiation belts. Laboratory applications include plasma thrusters and fusion. Concepts include charged particles in magnetic fields, drift motion, plasma, magnetohydrodynamic waves. Prerequisite: PHYS 321.

Class description

Beginning plasma physics. Single particle motion in electric and magnetic fields. Collective plasma phenomena/'fluid theory' Introduction to plasma waves

Student learning goals

General method of instruction

Text (Parks (2004) Physics of Space Plasmas, Westview/Perseus Books Group) Chapters 1 - 5 plus parts of 6 - 9.

Recommended preparation

Physics 321 and 322. Upper division E&M.

Class assignments and grading

homework weekly; lots of problem sets.

Homework (7 problem sets) - 50% of grade Midterm - 20% Final - 30% Extra credit: 10 page paper - up to 15% (note, 415 and 515 have the same lectures, but undergraduates will be graded separately from the grad students.)

Office of the Registrar
For problems and questions about this web page contact icd@u.washington.edu,
otherwise contact the instructor or department directly.
Modified:June 21, 2008