Introduction to Magneto Hydrodynamics: Ideal Plasma Effects
Module PH2037
Module version of WS 2010/1
There are historic module descriptions of this module. A module description is valid until replaced by a newer one.
Whether the module’s courses are offered during a specific semester is listed in the section Courses, Learning and Teaching Methods and Literature below.
| available module versions | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WS 2022/3 | WS 2021/2 | WS 2019/20 | WS 2017/8 | WS 2016/7 | WS 2010/1 |
Basic Information
PH2037 is a semester module in German or English language at Master’s level which is offered in winter semester.
This module description is valid to SS 2016.
If not stated otherwise for export to a non-physics program the student workload is given in the following table.
| Total workload | Contact hours | Credits (ECTS) |
|---|---|---|
| 150 h | 40 h | 5 CP |
Responsible coordinator of the module PH2037 in the version of WS 2010/1 was Klaus Hallatschek.
Content, Learning Outcome and Preconditions
Content
Selected, accessible phenomena in fluid dynamics, magnetohydrodynamics and plasma physics are discussed. Applications include vortex rings, Van Allen Belts, plasma confinement in fusion, accretion disks of newborn solar system, galactic magnetic fields, belts and wind flow on Jupiter. Except for plasma and astrophysics interested listeners the lecture should also be suited to consolidate and illustrate basic knowledge of fluid mechanics, electrodynamics, theoretical mechanics and classical thermodynamics. The lecture is thus the first part of an introduction to the theoretical plasma physics and presents the topics:
- Vortex
- dynamo effect
- magnetic forces
- magnetic levitation
- plasma equilibrium
- single particle picture / collective movement
- instabilities
- turbulence
- 2D/3D turbulence
- turbulent convection
- conservation laws
- cascades
- Zonal Flows
Learning Outcome
After successful completion of this module, the students are able to understand and to explain
- the magneto hydrodynamic (MHD) equations, the main consequences, and its scope of application
- the single particle movements the MHD equations are based on
- the conditions for stable magnetic equilibria plasmas
- the MHD instability mechanisms
- conservation laws in different scenarios and the turbulence Richardson cascade
Preconditions
No special knowledge exceeding the admissibility conditions for the master studies required.
Courses, Learning and Teaching Methods and Literature
Learning and Teaching Methods
Lecture, Transparencies, Blackboard presentation, Discussion, Exercises.
Media
Literature
- F. F. Chen: "Introduction to Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion", Plenum Press, NY 1984
- R. J. Goldstone, P. H. Rutherford: "Introduction to Plasma Physics", IOP Publishing Ltd 1995
- Wesson: "Tokamaks"
- U. Frisch: "Turbulence''
- Hazeltine, Waelbroeck: "The Framework of Plasma Physics"
- Biskamp: "Nonlinear Magnetohydrodynamics''
- Landau Lifshitz X: "Physical Kinetics''
Module Exam
Description of exams and course work
In an oral exam the learning outcome is tested using comprehension questions and sample problems.
In accordance with §12 (8) APSO the exam can be done as a written test. In this case the time duration is 60 minutes.
Exam Repetition
The exam may be repeated at the end of the semester. There is a possibility to take the exam in the following semester.