Introduction to Space Physics (Cambridge Atmospheric & Space Science)

Book Description

Designed as a text for upper-level undergraduate and first-year graduate students, this volume attempts to establish the curriculum for the modern student entering the fledgling field of space physics. The book provides a broad, yet selective, treatment of the subject, covering virtually all aspects of space plasmas in the solar system. There are sections on the sun and solar wind, the magnetized and unmagnetized planets, and the fundamental process of space plasmas including shocks, plasma waves, ULF waves, wave-particle interactions, and auroral processes. In addition to emphasizing analysis, the authors also place importance on underlying phenomenology with extensive attention to observations.

Customer Reviews:

Space Physics? OH YEAH!.......2007-02-24

When I'm in the mood for a little exploration of stellar structure or maybe some light magnetohydrodynamics, this is the first thing I grab off the shelf. It's kept me interested and not at all wanting to gouge my eyeballs out for weeks!

Introduction to Space Physics.......2000-05-02

This is a very comprehensive book. It is excellent if you are beginer who knows basic electricity and magnetism, but have not dealt with space plasmas.

Introduction to Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion

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Better than Bittencourt.
Plasma physicists do it with confinement
Clearly and simplified
Really not a graduate text
It Just Keeps Coming in Handy

Introduction to Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion
Francis F. Chen
Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Similar Items:

Introduction to Plasma Physics (Plasma Physics Series)
Principles of Plasma Discharges and Materials Processing , 2nd Edition
Introduction to Plasma Physics: With Space and Laboratory Applications
Lecture Notes on Principles of Plasma Processing
Classical Electrodynamics Third Edition

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An Introduction to Atomic and Molecular Physics
Non-Neutral Plasmas VI: Workshop on Non-Neutral Plasmas 2006 (AIP Conference Proceedings / Plasma Physics)

ASIN: 0306413329

Book Description

This complete introduction to plasma physics and controlled fusion by one of the pioneering scientists in this expanding field offers both a simple and intuitive discussion of the basic concepts of this subject and an insight into the challenging problems of current research. In a wholly lucid manner the work covers single-particle motions, fluid equations for plasmas, wave motions, diffusion and resistivity, Landau damping, plasma instabilities and nonlinear problems. For students, this outstanding text offers a painless introduction to this important field; for teachers, a large collection of problems; and for researchers, a concise review of the fundamentals as well as original treatments of a number of topics never before explained so clearly. This revised edition contains new material on kinetic effects, including Bernstein waves and the plasma dispersion function, and on nonlinear wave equations and solitons.

Customer Reviews:

Better than Bittencourt........2007-07-04

Good solid introduction to plasma physics. Fairly general introduction geared towards advanced undergraduates and grad students. There are better books which concentrate on applications, both of which I own. Sturrock for geophysical and earth plasma physics and Kulsrud for astrophysics.

Plasma physicists do it with confinement.......2007-02-10

I took an intro to plasma physics class using this book at the undergraduate level - and this book was perfect. It has a good blend of experimental evidence, theory, and math. The derivations are really good, you can follow along in the margins. The pictures are clear and beautiful, the page layout easy on the eyes. This is not a graduate text, but aimed at the advanced undergrad level. You should already know calculus, complex analysis, EM, and linear algebra before learning this material.

Clearly and simplified.......2007-01-24

The texts of this book are not long,but are very clear in physics concepts and are simplied:
1.All important math steps to prove the physics are mentioned(not released to the reader) in simplied way so that readers can know clearly both the math steps and physics meanings without being buffered by complecated math steps.
2.The author mentioned clearly the physics meaning of any equation.

I am a bachalor of physics,such kind of textbook(clear and simple and friendly) I had had only two:textbook named "Introduction to Electrodynamic" and "Introduction to Quantum Mechanics" written by famous author,Mr. Grify.

As a result,I think it is a very good textbook,at least for students who start to learn plamsa physics.

Really not a graduate text.......2007-01-04

I picked up this book for my graduate plasma 1 class alongside Goldston's book. The material is geared towards undergrads and would have been great had I picked up the book two years ago. Instead I found that I hardly opened Chen and stuck with Goldston or course notes. So if you are an undergrad or someone who is just generally interested in plasma physics this is probably what you should be buying. If you are a grad student and don't have it already then there is a decent chance that if you buy this book all you will get out of it is a warm feeling in your heart from knowing that you have the same book on your shelf that every other plasma physicist has.

It Just Keeps Coming in Handy.......2005-10-18

I first bought this text for an undergraduate course in plasmas, and I liked it then -- Chen's first few chapters will get you through the basics without any undue suffering (you'll hurt because the subject can be difficult, not because the text is unclear.) After spending a few months on my shelf, it reappeared for some research I was doing that required me to get comfortable with a few different types of plasma waves. Now Chen has come back into my life -- I'm taking a graduate course in kinetic theory of plasmas, and I find myself opening up this book on a daily basis to figure something out. This textbook has served me well, and if you're doing work (coursework or research) in the plasmas field, it will likely serve you well, too. The first four or five chapters are written so that a senior-level physics undergrad can understand them, so you get a nice conceptual grasp of the subject (as well as good reference material on more advanced topics.)

One point: I wouldn't recommend buying this as a "teach yourself plasma physics on a desert island" kind of book. If you can find someone who knows the subject, though, Chen will help you to learn a lot after they've explained a few basic points.

Basic subjects covered are:

Orbit theory (single particle motion, adiabatic invariants)
Fluid approximation
Plasma waves (O, X, R, L, acoustic, and many others)
Diffusion and resistivity
Equilibrium/stability issues
Kinetic theory
Assorted non-linear effects

An Introduction to Inertial Confinement Fusion (Plasma Physics)

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An Introduction to Inertial Confinement Fusion (Plasma Physics)
Susanne Pfalzner
Manufacturer: Taylor & Francis
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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High-Energy-Density Physics: Fundamentals, Inertial Fusion, and Experimental Astrophysics (Shock Wave and High Pressure Phenomena)

ASIN: 0750307013

Book Description

Newcomers to the field of inertial confinement fusion (ICF) often have difficulty establishing a clear picture of the overall field. The reason for this is because, while there are many books devoted to special topics within the field, there is none that provides an overview of the field as a whole. An Introduction to Inertial Confinement Fusion fills this gap with an overview of the processes involved in ICF presented at an accessible level. After a broad overview, the book follows the processes from the driver technology to burn physics in chronological order. As each topic appears, the author details the physical concepts and obstacles. The book concludes with a look to the future prospects of the field.

Introduction to Plasma Physics (Plasma Physics Series)

Average customer rating:

Great, but I wouldn't use it alone
The 4th element

Introduction to Plasma Physics (Plasma Physics Series)
R.J Goldston , and P.H Rutherford
Manufacturer: Taylor & Francis
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Introduction to Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion
The Physics of Plasmas
Classical Electrodynamics Third Edition
Fundamentals of Plasma Physics
The Physics of Fluids and Plasmas: An Introduction for Astrophysicists

ASIN: 075030183X

Book Description

Introduction to Plasma Physics is the standard text for an introductory lecture course on plasma physics. The text's six sections lead readers systematically and comprehensively through the fundamentals of modern plasma physics. Sections on single-particle motion, plasmas as fluids, and collisional processes in plasmas lay the groundwork for a thorough understanding of the subject. The authors take care to place the material in its historical context for a rich understanding of the ideas presented. They also emphasize the importance of medical imaging in radiotherapy, providing a logical link to more advanced works in the area. The text includes problems, tables, and illustrations as well as a thorough index and a complete list of references.

Customer Reviews:

Great, but I wouldn't use it alone.......2007-01-04

This book can be very useful as a graduate level plasma text, or a reference, or as something to put on your shelf to make you look like a "serious" plasma physicist. It covers drifts extremely well and I was reasonably pleased with the two fluid model. But in the end if you are trying to learn plasma physics this book really shines as a SUPPLEMENT and I imagine would be pretty frustrating as your only source to learn from. I bought this book and Chen's book for my graduate plasma 1 course. I never opened Chen, referenced Goldston often throughout the course (and as expected put a lot of focus on the class notes). But honestly, I think you probably already know if you need this book.

The 4th element.......2000-08-17

I am a university student who major in physics. and this book was a text in plasma course. As plasma group of princeton univ. is strong, this book is strong enough to understand plasma. most favorite thing in this book is sufficient explanation about the physical and mathmatical explanation. and the not good thing is a little dirty mathmatical calculation. so if you want clear mathmatics, I think you had better look another book. Anyway if you read this from cover to cover, you can learn ABC of Plasma. isn't it wonderful?

The Physics of Fluids and Plasmas: An Introduction for Astrophysicists

Average customer rating:

From a student of Steve Balbus...
Useful addition to a fluid dynamics library
A great book for the beginers.

The Physics of Fluids and Plasmas: An Introduction for Astrophysicists
Arnab Rai Choudhuri
Manufacturer: Cambridge University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Introduction to Plasma Physics (Plasma Physics Series)
Astrophysics Of Gaseous Nebulae And Active Galactic Nuclei
Plasma Physics for Astrophysics (Princeton Series in Astrophysics)
Hydrodynamic and Hydromagnetic Stability (International Series of Monographs on Physics (Oxford, England).)
Galactic Dynamics (Princeton Series in Astrophysics)

ASIN: 0521555434

Book Description

A good working knowledge of fluid mechanics and plasma physics is essential for the modern astrophysicist. This graduate textbook provides a clear, pedagogical introduction to these core subjects. Assuming an undergraduate background in physics, this book develops fluid mechanics and plasma physics from first principles. This book is unique because it presents neutral fluids and plasmas in a unified scheme, clearly indicating both their similarities and their differences. Also, both the macroscopic (continuum) and microscopic (particles) theories are developed, establishing the connections between them. Throughout, key examples from astrophysics are used, though no previous knowledge of astronomy is assumed. Exercises are included at the end of chapters to test the reader's understanding. This textbook is aimed primarily at astrophysics graduate students. It will also be of interest to advanced students in physics and applied mathematics seeking a unified view of fluid mechanics and plasma physics, encompassing both the microscopic and macroscopic theories.

Customer Reviews:

From a student of Steve Balbus..........2002-11-24

A clear exposition of all areas of astrophysical fluid dynamics (along with some plasma physics). I'm disappointed not to have found anything from the recent (and exciting) advances in MHD instabilities during the 1990s. The Balbus-Hawley Instability is completely ignored, which is a huge failure; this instability has revolutionized accretion disk theory and angular momentum transport, and has been the groundwork for a surge in numerical simulations of accretion disks. It's a great fundamental book nonetheless.

Useful addition to a fluid dynamics library.......2000-07-23

This book is intended for astrophysicists who want to learn some fluid dynamics and plasma physics. The book does cover traditional topics of plasma physics books--kinetic theory, continuum hydrodynamics and magnetohydrodynamics, and plasma theory. There is a definite emphasis on astrophysical topics, although there are tidbits on aerodynamic lift, tokamaks, etc. It is sufficiently interesting to be of at least some interest to general students of fluid dynamics or plasma physics.

The book begins with a sketch of the kinetic theory derivation of the Navier Stokes equations, beginning with the Hamilton equations, and moving through Liouville's theorem, the Boltzmann equation, and taking the BGK approximation. It is only a sketch, not a full scale tutorial on kinetic theory, but I believe something along these lines does belong in any fluid dynamics course taught by a physics department. (Such courses are sadly uncommon.)

The continuum derivation of the Navier-Stokes equations is presented next, and I find it weak. I prefer the systematic, integral-based approaches found in books by, e.g., Panton and Kundu. There is NO discussion of the deformation (a.k.a. strain rate) tensor and the Cauchy-Stokes decomposition. There are brief discussions of some standard flows (e.g, potential flow around a cylinder, viscous Poiseuille flow, aerodynamic lift) and a brief discussion of boundary layers.

The remaining fluid dynamics chapters are on gas dynamics, waves and instabilities, turbulence, and rotation. The turbulence chapter is the best short introduction to Kolmogorov's -5/3 law that I've found; a good preface to reading the chapter on turbulence in other intro books, or even a dedicated turbulence book like Frisch. The remaining 7 chapters of the book are on plasma physics, including magnetohydrodynamics (I'm not an expert here, so I won't comment on them).

The book was favorably reviewed in "Comtemporary Physics" and "Journal of Fluid Mechanics", both reviewers praising the author's "engaging style" but expressing disappointment at the lack of more special topics in astrophysics. As long as a reader does not study this book in isolation, though, I think this would be an excellent supplement to his or her studies. I took this book with me on a vacation and enjoyed the reading.

A great book for the beginers........1999-02-26

This book is really going to help those who are interested in Astrophysical Plasma. I have got this book just at the begining of my research career. "The Physics of Fluids and Plasmas" has made a unique attempt, where theories of neutral fluids and plasmas are developed simultaneously. Mathemetical details is very rare, but it understandable, since the title of this book contains "Introduction".

Introduction to Dusty Plasma Physics (Series on Plasma Physics)

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The Best Dusty Plasma Book
Review of 'Introduction to Dusty Plasma Physics'

Introduction to Dusty Plasma Physics (Series on Plasma Physics)
P.K SHUKLA , and A.A Mamun
Manufacturer: Taylor & Francis
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 075030653X

Book Description

Introduction to Dusty Plasma Physics contains a detailed description of the occurrence of dusty plasmas in our Solar System, the Earth's mesosphere, and in laboratory discharges. The book illustrates numerous mechanisms for charging dust particles and provides studies of the grain dynamics under the influence of forces that are common in dusty plasma environments.

Customer Reviews:

The Best Dusty Plasma Book.......2004-08-23

This is THE BEST dusty plasma book. I have had to use this in my research and this book encompasses every bit of this subject. It is very informative and tells a great deal.

Review of 'Introduction to Dusty Plasma Physics'.......2002-05-03

The book was written by authors who directly participated in the development of dusty plasma theory. It addresses current knowledge about dusty plasmas and summarizes more than 20 years of research in this rapidly evolving subject with its own wide range of topics . . . Overall, the book gives a comprehensive analysis of basic dusty plasma physics, combining in an original way laboratory and space plasma topics. There is no doubt that the book will find a well-deserved place on the shelves of all the plasma physicists and astrophysicists with an interest in space and laboratory dusty plasmas.

Introduction to Plasma Physics: With Space and Laboratory Applications

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Introduction to Plasma Physics: With Space and Laboratory Applications
D. A. Gurnett , and A. Bhattacharjee
Manufacturer: Cambridge University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Introduction to Space Physics (Cambridge Atmospheric & Space Science)
Introduction to Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion
The Physics of Plasmas
Basic Space Plasma Physics
Plasma Physics for Astrophysics (Princeton Series in Astrophysics)

ASIN: 0521364833

Book Description

Emphasizing basic plasma theory, with applications to both space and laboratory plasmas, the topics covered in this text include single-particle motions, kinetic theory, magnetohydrodynamics, small amplitude waves in both cold and hot plasmas, nonlinear phenomena and collisional effects. Applications comprise planetary magnetospheres and radiation belts, the confinement and stability of plasmas in fusion devices, the propagation of discontinuities and shock waves in the solar wind, and the analysis of various types of plasma waves and instabilities that can occur in planetary magnetospheres and laboratory plasma devices.

Physics of Space Plasmas: An Introduction, Second Edition

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This book is the real deal

Physics of Space Plasmas: An Introduction, Second Edition
George K. Parks
Manufacturer: Westview Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Basic Space Plasma Physics
Introduction to Space Physics (Cambridge Atmospheric & Space Science)
Advanced Space Plasma Physics
Introduction to Plasma Physics: With Space and Laboratory Applications
Plasma Physics for Astrophysics (Princeton Series in Astrophysics)

ASIN: 0813341299

Book Description

Physics of Space Plasmas was one of the first textbooks published in the area of space plasma physics and included up-to-date observations from space available at that time. It has been used in the United States and abroad by many universities as a text in introductory space plasma physics courses. A considerable number of new space plasma observations have been made since publication of the first edition. These more recent observations have revealed new and exciting information about space plasma and will enhance the quality of the overarching discussion and analyses of space plasma physics. Citing results from several NASA and ESA space missions, the completely revised Second Edition now expands the interpretation using kinetic physics to explain the kinetic features in the plasma data. Parks also includes a clear and simple discussion of how electromagnetic fields behave in rotating frames. This revision retains the thoughtful examples and problems of the First Edition and includes new ones to complement the new material and changes in the Second Edition.

Customer Reviews:

This book is the real deal.......2005-04-10

For one who wants the full mathematical plasma physics approach to geospace, this is the book to get.

When it comes to looking up phenomena associated with the maths however, I found the book difficult. It often doesn't explain in enough depth in simple terms certain happenings around the earth (whistlers, instabilities etc). The chapters are organised around the maths aswell.

I suppose it depends on what you need the book for. If you want the full maths approach, get this book. If you want something based around the concepts, get a copy of Kivelson & Russell, or Kallenrode - both excellent texts.

Plasma Physics: An Introduction to the Theory of Astrophysical, Geophysical and Laboratory Plasmas

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Plasma Physics: An Introduction to the Theory of Astrophysical, Geophysical and Laboratory Plasmas

Manufacturer: Cambridge University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0521448107

Book Description

Plasma Physics is an authoritative and wide-ranging pedagogic study of the "fourth" state of matter. The constituents of the plasma state are influenced by electric and magnetic fields, and in turn also produce electric and magnetic fields. This fact leads to a rich array of properties of plasma described in this text. The author uses examples throughout, many taken from astrophysical phenomena, to explain concepts. In addition, problem sets at the end of each chapter will serve to reinforce key points. A basic knowledge of mathematics and physics is preferable to fully appreciate this text. This book provides the ideal introduction to this complex and fascinating field of research, balancing theoretical aspects with practical and preparing the graduate student for further study.

Astrophysical Hydrodynamics: An Introduction

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Astrophysical Hydrodynamics: An Introduction
Steven N. Shore
Manufacturer: Wiley-VCH
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Astronomy | Astronomy | Science | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 3527406697

Book Description

This latest edition of the proven and comprehensive treatment on the topic -- from the bestselling author of "Tapestry of Modern Astrophysics" -- has been updated and revised to reflect the newest research results. Suitable for AS0000 and AS0200 courses, as well as advanced astrophysics and astronomy lectures, this is an indispensable theoretical backup for studies on celestial body formation and astrophysics. Includes exercises with solutions.

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