Potential generated by an ionized plasma between two plates

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem involving an ionized plasma flowing through a rectangular pipe with specific dimensions and boundary conditions. The objective is to find the potential difference between conducting walls in the presence of a magnetic field.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to relate the plasma's velocity to current and seeks guidance on finding the electric field and potential. Some participants discuss the forces acting on charged particles in the plasma, considering the balance between electric and magnetic forces.

Discussion Status

Participants are exploring different aspects of the problem, with some providing insights into the relationships between forces acting on charged particles. There is a recognition of the need to clarify the signs in the equations presented, indicating an ongoing examination of the concepts involved.

Contextual Notes

There is uncertainty regarding the initial approach to the problem and the specific relationships between the electric field, magnetic field, and the resulting potential. The original poster expresses a lack of familiarity with plasma-related problems, which may influence the discussion.

MeMoses
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Homework Statement



An ionized plasma flows with a velocity v in the z direction, though a rectangular pipe with x, y, z dimensions of w, h, l respectively. The walls at x=\pm w/2 are insulating while the walls at y=\pm h/2 are conducting. Lastly there is a magnetic field B in the x direction.

Find the potential between the conducting walls.

Homework Equations



Maxwell's equations

The Attempt at a Solution



I'm not used to problems with plasmas, but I take it the velocity somewhat similar to current here. I'm not sure what I need to find the potential though, perhaps the electric field between the plates, but then I'm not sure where to find that. I think my main problem is I'm just not sure where to start. Any help would be appreciated.
 
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Plasma consists of charged particles. Consider one of them, with charge q. It is said to flow with velocity v in the z direction. That means the net force on the particle is zero. But there are a magnetic field and an electric field, both exerting forces on it.
 
Yea that really simplifies things from how I was approaching it. So F_{mag} = F_{electric}
EQ=Q(v \times B)
E=-vB
so then
V = hBv
 
MeMoses said:
Yea that really simplifies things from how I was approaching it. So F_{mag} = F_{electric}

Not exactly. Rather, it is ##F_e + F_m = 0##. So check the signs in what follows.
 

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