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| Version 2013-2014 |
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| SPAT0001-1 | Plasma Physics
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| Duration : | 25h Th, 5h Pr |
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| Number of credits : |
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| Lecturer : | Hervé Lamy, Anne Thoul |
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| Coordinator : | Anne Thoul |
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Language(s) of instruction :
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| French language |
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Organisation and examination :
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| Teaching in the second semester |
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Course contents :
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| Plasmas make more than 99% of the Universe. It is an ionized gaz. The study of plasmas will therefore use the equations of hydrodynamics, and electromagnetic forces will dominate. A knowledge of plasma physics is mandatory to study the ionosphere, the magnetosphere, the interplanetary medium, planet atmospheres, but also for the conception of spatial missions, and for nuclear fusion.
The aim of the course will be to give some basic notions of plasma physics. |
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Learning outcomes of the course :
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| After completing the course, the student will be able to:
- define, using fundamental plasma parameters, under what conditions an ionized gas consisting of charged particles (electrons and ions) can be treated as a plasma; give examples of different kinds of plasmas
- state mathematically and derive expressions for the basic plasma parameters; use the appropriate units
- understand, formulate and use the mathematical formalism needed for describing the dynamics and equilibrium of a plasma
- describe the propagation of waves in plasmas, and derive the dispersion relation for these waves
- formulate, distinguish and know when to use the single particle approach, the fluid appoach and the kinetic statistical approach to describe different plasma phenomena; understand the applicability of the appropriate approximations
- Solve problems and answer conceptual questions involving both the single-particle, the fluid, and the kinetic descriptions of a plasma
- be able to take advanced level courses in plasma physics and related fields.
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Prerequisites and co-requisites/ Recommended optional programme components :
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| The student needs knowledge of mathematics and physics at the level of that taught at the level of bachelor in the physics section. Some knowledge of fluid mechanics and electromagnetism are very useful. |
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Planned learning activities and teaching methods :
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Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :
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| 25 hours of lectures.
5 hours for exercices.
The lecturer will hold office hours. |
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Recommended or required readings :
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| Lecture notes and Powerpoint presentations will be made available. |
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Assessment methods and criteria :
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| The student will be evaluated through a written exam, composed of two parts, each for 50% of the final grade.
The first part of the exam will consist in a series of short theoretical questions which will cover the whole course.
The second part of the exam will consist in a few problems to solve, similar to the ones which will have been solved during the exercice sessions. |
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Work placement(s) :
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Organizational remarks :
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Contacts :
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| Anne Thoul
Anne.Thoul@ulg.ac.be |
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