PHYS:4731 Plasma Physics I

General Course Information

Professor Gregory Howes
Office 213 Van Allen Hall
Phone (319) 335-1221
E-mail gregory-howes {at} uiowa dot edu
Office Hours Tuesday 1:00-2:00pm
Wednesday 10:00am-12:00pm
or by appointment
Catalog Description Physics of ionized gases, including orbit theory, guiding center motion, adiabatic invariants, ionization balance description of plasmas by fluid variables and distribution functions; linearized wave motions, instabilities; magnetohydrodynamics.
Meeting Tuesday and Thursday 11:00 am - 12:15 pm, 618 Van Allen Hall
Textbook Required: D. Gurnett and A. Bhattacharjee, Introduction to Plasma Physics with Space and Laboratory Applications
Optional: T. J. M. Boyd & J. J. Sanderson, The Physics of Plasmas
Exams Two Midterm Exams: Thursday, Oct 6 and Thursday, Nov 17
Final Exam: Tuesday, Dec 13th, 10:00am-12:00pm, 618 VAN
Grading Homework: 20%
Two Midterm Exams: 20% each
Final Exam: 40%