Physics
Scientific paper
Jan 1964
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1964jatp...26..113c&link_type=abstract
Journal of Atmospheric and Terrestrial Physics, vol. 26, no. 1, pp. 113-122
Physics
3
Scientific paper
Equations of motion appropriate to the conditions existing in the ionosphere are discussed with a view to examining the condition for ambipolar diffusion (ve = vi). It is shown that for quasi-equilibrium and isothermal conditions the required condition for ambipolar diffusion is given by curl v × B = 0. It is further shown that the assumption of ambipolar diffusion along the field lines leads to the trivial situation of hydrostatic distributions of electron density independent of latitude. These results are not in agreement with the generally accepted view that diffusion of the plasma along the direction of the magnetic field can account for many geophysical phenomena in the ionosphere. This disagreement is attributed to the fact that the assumption of field-aligned plasma diffusion puts a constraint on grad ne which has not been taken into account by the previous workers. It is pointed out in the present paper that the solutions of ve and vi in terms of the particle densities and temperatures are not possible without the knowledge of the electric field. The theoretical determination of the latter appears to be extremely complicated and it seems desirable to measure it experimentally.
No associations
LandOfFree
Plasma diffusion in the ionosphere does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Plasma diffusion in the ionosphere, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Plasma diffusion in the ionosphere will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1487659