You have a plasma consisting of equal number densities (ne=ni=n) of gas ions and

Question

You have a plasma consisting of equal number densities (ne=ni=n) of gas ions and electrons, with charge +/- e, and masses mi and me, where (mi>me). The separation between the two species creates a restoring electric field which returns the electrons to the equilibrium position (the ions are assumed to be heavy and stationary). A slab of plasma with thickness L has all of its electrons displaced by a distance x, which establishes a restoring electric field E=nex/epsilon0. Show that the restoring for per unit area on the electrons is given by xn^2e^2L/epsilon0 and that they oscillate with angular frequency w^2=ne^2/m(epsilon0). This frequency is called the plasma frequency and only frequencies w>w0 will propagate in such plasma. This is a simple model of how the ionosphere reflects radio waves.

Explanation / Answer

a is proportional to -x^2

for SHM

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse Y
• Subjects

---

---

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.