Plasma Physics Study Group

{ – Been here before? This week's agenda is found below. – }

Plasma is matter in an ionized state, where electrons separate from atoms to create a dynamic mixture of charged particles that comprises 99% of the visible universe. We’ve started a new group to study the physics of plasma, a fascinating subject that examines how this unique state of matter interacts with electromagnetic fields to exhibit complex collective behaviors that govern phenomena from stellar fusion to space flight.

Our goal is to explore theoretical frameworks, including magnetohydrodynamics, kinetic theory, and wave-particle interactions, along with modern issues in applied physics, such as plasma confinement, heating methods, and stability control.

We're working through Richard Fitzpatrick’s Plasma Physics: An Introduction (2nd edition), with additional books and resources found online. A freely available web version of the book can be found on the author’s website.

What to expect – Here is our current format:

• Before each meeting, we will assign ourselves a reading and a set of exercises that everyone is invited to try for next time. (All of this is optional and there is never anything expected or required – this is a self-study group!)
• During the meeting, one or more volunteers will teach the material in their own words, and others will present their solutions to (or attempts at!) the exercises.
• Between meetings, we will collaborate through our chat server and/or small study sessions during "office hours". New members should especially take advantage of these to get up to speed. Ask us for details and links to these fantastic resources!

We maintain a live chat server for staying in touch between meetups. Ask us for a link.

This event joins our other existing collaborative study tracks. Please note that this particular meetup series is a highly mathematical meetup for everyone who is serious about learning the material. It is not a general discussion group for popular physics topics or sci-fi tangents. For casual physics chat, please attend our regular Discuss Physics and Make Friends event, held every third Wednesday of the month.

Prerequisites: An undergraduate level of knowledge of electrodynamics and thermodynamics is essential. If you’re missing these, please come to our other study sessions instead!

Having technical trouble joining the meeting? You need to use the Zoom app and log in with a (free to create) personal Zoom account before you can join our meeting. You might not be able to join directly from a web browser if you can’t log in.

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Plasma physics agenda for this week:

• Check back here soon. Updates are posted within 48 hours of the last meeting.
• If you're joining us for the first time, simply start reading Chapter 2 of the book and come to the meeting – we'll get you caught up!