Plasma Definition and 618 Threads

  1. T

    Did i calculate the V/A/R of a plasma arc properly?

    Hello there! So i am currently sitting in my EME class and have nothing to do, so i decided to try spit-balling the V/A/R of the plasma arc my Tesla Lighter produces. note that i did not physically take it apart, and my goal was just to get a rough estimate for the arc itself or at least get a...
  2. T

    Electric field due to charged plates moving through a plasma

    Hi folks, this is not an actual HW question, but rather one of personal interest. I'm basically trying to understand your classic idealized parallel plate capacitor, but moving face-on through a plasma. 1. Homework Statement We have a diffuse neutral plasma made of free protons and electrons...
  3. A

    I Number of moles of argon plasma to exert X pressure

    is the amount of argon gas to exert 10,000 psi in cylinder will be the same if argon transformed to plasma or the number of moles will be less as plasma is more excited and have higher kinetic energy?
  4. M

    I Question about plasma modeling

    hi ,, hello dears first i hope i choose the suitable section to put my question i want in fact to distinguish between different methods to model or study or describe plasma physics .. from my read i found that there are various ways to study plasma physics one way is the single particle...
  5. Sharkey4123

    I Does the Debye Length Change with Applied Potential Strength in a Plasma?

    The debye length is the effective length over which electrostatic potential disturbances are "screened out" in a plasma. So if I drop a charged point particle in a plasma, then I expect after some Debye Length, D, from this point charge, I can see no difference between any other point in the...
  6. P

    I Understanding Plasma Physics: Exploring Debye Length and Collision Frequency

    hello every body in fact currently i began to study plasma physics and i confused about some points 1) why should my plasma must be greater than debye length to have a collective behavior ? and is it the quasi neutrality is the main condition for plasma state ?? 2) i want a discussion about...
  7. J

    Plasma Book with Maxwell equations in a plasma?

    My main goal is to understand plasmons, for that I have been told that the theoretical background is Maxwell equations in a plasma. Do you know any book with these equations? Thanks!
  8. S

    Ability to produce an energetic plasma

    I've run into an issue that the internet seems ill-equipped to answer, so I turn to the experts. While I'm aware that most fusion experiments to date have used deuterium and deuterium-tritium blends as their fuels, I find myself wondering: can any dielectric material produce energetic plasma...
  9. Brunolem33

    B Uniformity of Particles Formed After Big Bang

    In the beginning there was the Big Bang...then there was plasma...then there were particles, and so on... Now, how is it possible that from a cooling plasma, randomly (?) emerged particles that are so perfectly uniform? I mean, all neutrons are exactly the same...size, mass, properties...and...
  10. G

    Plasma cannons and other SF weapons

    I think about a far future story with a good amount of battles. Futuristic battletech i can imagine would involve things like deploy nanobot clouds that jam and damage sensors and everything vulnerable, powered battle armors of course, drones, probably some meelee solution for bunker combat...
  11. H

    B Mass of Sun/stars (elemental/molecular vs. plasma)

    I'm confused about the mass of the Sun (and stars in general). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun Wikipedia notes: " It is a nearly perfect sphere of hot plasma..." ...and later ... "About three quarters of the Sun's mass consists of hydrogen (~73%); the rest is mostly helium (~25%), ..." I...
  12. TJGilb

    Plasma Book recommendation for Introductory Plasma Physics?

    Hello everybody. I'm interested in starting my learning about plasma physics (depending on how I like it I may choose something within it as my field), but unfortunately my university doesn't offer any undergrad courses in it. My current level includes all maths up to differential equations...
  13. E

    Plasma What are Good Books for Space Plasma Physics?

    I have a space plasma physics book by W. Baumjohann and R. Treumann entitled Basic Plasma Physics, but it doesn't tell much of the physics behind them (well, it's basic after all). Are there any plasma physics books that concentrates on the physics behind them, and probably have some problems to...
  14. J

    What amount of energy is needed to make a field of plasma?

    How much energy would be required to generate a spherical field of plasma using an EM field? I have heard that EM fields can excite atoms in the air to create plasma- however, this may be incorrect. If correct, how much energy would be needed and would it fry anything inside because of the...
  15. V

    I What is the approximate impedance of an RF plasma "antenna"?

    I've searched high and low for data regarding this from scientific papers to books and I cannot find anything in regards to the approximate impedance to excite a vacuum vessel to plasma state. In particular I want to built a RF Plasma cleaning chamber, however, I am not sure how to design the...
  16. 1

    I need to make or buy a insulated wire Mesh

    I'm constructing a device that needs two electrodes in a mesh-like formation. there doesn't have to be a cavity but one is preferred. I have this https://imgur.com/a/DWoxQ But I need there to be insulation like on a normal wire. I'm looking at a wire gauge of 28+ AWG. Ive tried 3D printing a...
  17. L

    Interpret current density in plasma as material property?

    Homework Statement An electromagnetic wave propagates through a gas of N free electrons per unit volume. Neglecting damping, show that the index of refraction is given by n^2 = 1 - \frac{\omega_P^2}{\omega^2}, where the plasma frequency \omega_P = \sqrt{\frac{Ne^2}{\epsilon_0m_e}}.\quad(1)...
  18. F

    Elements of plasma kinetic theory, Bittencourt

    Homework Statement Consider the motion of charged particles, in one dimension only, in the presence of an electric potential V ( x). Show, by direct substitution, that a function of the form f=f(1/mv^2 + qV) is a solution of the Boltzmann equation under steady-state conditions. Homework...
  19. V

    Studying Learn Basic Plasma Physics: What Else Do I Need?

    I have a goal of learning basic plasma physics (perhaps from a book like Chen's?). Aside from finishing basic physics, what do I need to learn in order to learn plasma physics? Thanks!
  20. T

    Does plasma maintain a charge when current flows through it?

    I've been looking through the internet and so fair I haven't found anything too clear on this. Some articles have said that plasma can be affected by magnetism and can be conductive, but my question is, will it become positively/negatively charged while current is flowing through it, and if it...
  21. J

    A Determination of Extraordinary Waves By Plasma

    I have been trying to find a method to predict the polarization effects of a plasma with a B Field on low frequency waves. From Chen's Intro to Plasma Physics and Fitzpatrick's Plasma Physics I understand the development of the dielectric tensor and calculation of dispersion with the B field but...
  22. P

    I Understanding Plasma: Definition, Properties, and Temperature Considerations

    So, on wikipedia is said that a plasma is an ionized gas, just that, but when we think about plasma we think that is hot, so here's the question: What is the right definition of plasma? Does being a ionized gas also imply being hot and then saying only that is an ionized gas is enough? I mean...
  23. R

    I How Conductive is Ionized Air? Investigating the Physics of Plasma Cutters

    So I've been reading about how plasma cutters work, and the way it ignites intrigued me and got me thinking. My question is, how conductive would a stream of ionized air created by a high voltage spark be? If you passed a high current, low voltage through the stream, would it be able to travel...
  24. cdsandstuff

    Programs What makes plasma physics an appealing field of study?

    Hey everyone! I know you probably see new messages like this pop up quite a bit, but I am legitimately curious on this one. I have seen a few threads on the subject as in how to get into the field. I was personally wondering: Why should one study plasma physics? What kind of questions does it...
  25. Marlon Mazola

    Admissions Plasma Physics PhD program admission

    Hello, I'm new so I couldn't find a spot to put this in. I was wondering what's the minimum GPA for a plasma physics grad program especially fusion, I don't want good schools, I just want something that is enough to take me further. The thing is I dropped the ball hard my first year of college...
  26. L

    Remove free electrons from plasma?

    Starting to brainstorm ideas for my Masters project. The current idea I have in mind involves a chamber of ionized gas which I would have to then separate from the free electrons. Would removing the electrons be as simple as connecting one of the chamber walls to the positive terminal of a...
  27. B

    High Pressure Sodium and Metal Halide lamps near plasma ball

    I bought one of these plasma globes, decided to do some experiments with it. Since a fluorescent bulb will light up if It's put near the plasma ball, i tried the same with two HID lamps. The Metal Halide shows a very pale white arc, which disappears as soon as the plasma ball is turned off...
  28. Dr. Octavious

    Understanding Plasma Beta and its Impact on Tokamak Design

    Hello all, I am trying to calculate the plasma beta in a specific plasma temperature. for the plasma pressure i am using the formula p=(ni*kB*Ti)+(ne*kB*ne) and for the beta i am using β=(2*μ0*p)/B^2. I plotted an excel sheet for different values of the magnetic field and realized that the...
  29. Dr. Octavious

    I Electron number density in fusion plasma

    Hello everybody, Is there a way to calculate/predict the electron number density of a plasma? Thanks in advance
  30. Futurestar33

    I Understanding Plasma: Definition, Theory, and Applications

    I just recently came across a theorem known as Alfven's Theorem, and according to what he said Magnetic Reconnection is a violation of the conservation law of plasma physics. So I am just curious into finding out what plasma actually is, some define it as a ionized gas, but after reading I am...
  31. Dakota

    Can all gases be ionized to make a plasma?

    I sort of new to the states of matter, so please use English (explain what all the big words mean). First of all what does ionizing even mean? second every type of matter of 4 states?
  32. T

    Latest Update on ITER's First Plasma: 2025 and Beyond

    Do any of you have news on when ITER is scheduled to achieve the first plasma that the whole world is waiting for? Last I heard it was 2025, but since they have a new head, they might speed things up a bit.
  33. A

    VASIMR Plasma Thruster: Questions Answered

    First off, I want to apologize if this thread is in the wrong place but I am new this. Anyway, so I recently checked on the VASIMR plasma engine since I was interested in it. But one thing I didn't understand about it is if it ejects the neutral gas it uses. What I mean is that it obviously...
  34. K

    Does electrical arc with the same power have same temp?

    Does electrical arc with the same power but different voltage and current have same temperature? When electrical arc is form, it is estimate that the temperature is about 3000K Does temperature depend on voltage or current alone? Or does it depend on power(P=VA)? I think it is power, because...
  35. BlackDawnJake

    What Type of Plasma Best Emits Thermal Energy for Efficient Reactor Design?

    I am a young designer and attempting to design a plasma reactor. I have a lot of the design figured out, in theory, but my main problem is the type of plasma I would need to use that emits a large amount of thermal energy with as little materials needed to maintain efficiency. Any assistance...
  36. S

    Giant slalom of particles in a plasma?

    The charged particles of a plasma are either strongly repelled or attracted to one another. Am I correct in saying that they do a "giant slalom" around one another? And does this mean that the transfer of momentum in a collision is much smaller than in a neutral gas where the atoms/molecules...
  37. T

    Should I choose Network Science or Plasma Physics?

    Thank you for opening my first thread. I have just began studying Physics at a university in Hungary and would like to get some information about Network Science and Plasma Phyics/Nuclear Fusion. I am looking for a branche in Physics in which I can do research in the coming years and get a job...
  38. M

    Ending point for initial condition theories

    I am not a scientist, but as a hobby I am summarizing different initial condition theories, specifically, eternal inflation, LGC, cyclic, and bounce theories. I need a completion time ATB where all theories produce an identical plasma. The plasma then enters the big bang process of expansion...
  39. P

    Find how many times blood is filtered in the kidney?

    Homework Statement The blood that circulates in our body is about 1/12 of our mass. If the kidneys filter 7.5 liter of blood a hour, then how many times does it filter in the kidney the whole blood of a person will mass 60kg? Homework Equations 1/12*60=5 liter blood The Attempt at a Solution...
  40. P

    How many times is blood filtered in the kidney?

    The blood that circulates in our body is about 1/12 of our mass. If the kidneys filter 7.5 liter of blood a hour, then how many times does it filter in the kidney the whole blood of a person will mass 60kg? Here's what my teacher did: 1/12*60=5 liter blood 0.55*5=2.75 liter plasma of blood. The...
  41. gustafangus

    Making a Magnetoplasmadynamic (Plasma) Thruster?

    Hello everybody, I was looking for ways to amplify magnetic fields for some project, but I happened to stuble upon articles about plasma thrusters. And seeing how a magnetoplasmadynamic thruster works, I thought: either this is really easy to make or I'm missing something. Now bare with me...
  42. M

    How can you create sustainable plasma without a plasma ball

    I want to do an experiment for a presentation for a medium amount of people. How can I create plasma to show off to them?
  43. K

    Electric arc in 0 gravity? Curved or straight?

    I observe that electric arc forms a curve. I think that this is because electric arc is extremely hot and hot air goes up because it has less density. So if electric arc occur at 0 gravity would it be straight? from wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_arc Thank you.
  44. Tom-Physics

    Calculating the upward and downward plasma speeds

    Homework Statement Hi! I have trouble with calculating the upward and downward plasma speeds. I have the necessary data and an equation that is useful (I think), but I'm stuck. Homework Equations The shock jump number Zs=3 in this case , and I've calculated the shock wave speed (555 km/s)...
  45. Clear Mind

    Question about conditions for Force Free Fields in plasma

    My question is about Force Free fields in the study of plasma stability (in MHD regime): Consider an isolated ideal plasma in an equilibrium state (where the effect of selfgravity is negligible), from the Navier-Stokes equation we get that: $$\vec{\nabla} P = \frac{1}{c} \vec{J} \times...
  46. S

    Penetration of magnetic field into a plasma?

    A magnetic field doesn't penetrate well into a plasma because it produces currents that counters the field, so to speak. But, before those currents are produced, does the whole of the plasma "feel" the magnetic field? For how long; ns, us or ms? S.A.
  47. Dr. Octavious

    Designing a Fusion Reactor: Calculating Plasma Currents

    Hello all, This might sound very optimistic for a project but I want to design a thermonuclear fusion reactor. Does anyone know how I can calculate the required plasma current I need in order to start a thermonuclear fusion process? I am using a mixture of Deuterium-Tritium gas. Thanks!
  48. Dr. Strange

    Why does dark matter pool in the CMB plasma?

    I'm trying to understand the mechanisms of the anisotropies in the CMB. The general idea is that there are fluctuations in some field (e.g. inflation) and the baryonic and dark matter rush into the space compressing the fluid. The photon energy pushes back on just the baryonic matter while the...
  49. S

    Thickness of 'shell' in momentum space in a plasma?

    Let's say we have a plasma of protons or deuterons and electrons; how thick is the 'shell' that the nuclei form in momentum space compared to the 'shell' formed by D2 or H2 in a gas, at room temperature? Will the distribution of momentum be more spread out or more compact, so to speak, in a...
  50. W

    How do we prevent the fusion reactor chamber from melting?

    this question might be a bit stupid, but if the plasma in the fusion reactor has very high temperature, then how do we make the chamber not melt? i mean, not to join? contact? each other(chamber wall and plasma). do we use magnetic field to make the distance? then how do we do that?
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