Plasma Dynamics

Plasma is the physical state in which most of the visible matter in the universe is found. The properties of plasma are so distinctive that it is often referred to as the fourth state of matter. This book explains the fundamental concepts of plasma physics and provides an introduction to plasma particle dynamics, plasma waves, magnetohydrodynamics, plasma kinetic theory, two-fluid theory, and non-linear plasma physics. Emphasis is placed on the underlying physical principles, rather than on mathematical considerations. The most advanced background knowledge required consists of Maxwell's equations, and these are reviewed in the introduction. This book will be useful to undergraduates in physics and postgraduates in astrophysics, nuclear physics, and plasma physics and is short enough to be covered in a single lecture course.

Table of Contents:
Introduction; Basic plasma characteristics; Motion of an electron in a magnetic field; Dielectric description of cold plasma; Magnetohydrodynamic description of plasma; Kinetic description of plasma; Non-linear plasma physics; Index.

Review :
`The ideal textbook is not only clear and authoritative, but also short and priced at a level where students might reasonable be expected to buy it. Dr Dendy's book meets all these criteria admirably.' `The treatment here is very clear and well written. For anyone who wishes a short introduction to the fundamentals of plasma physics or who is teaching a course on the subject, this is a very attractive addition to the literature.' Contemporary Physics 'This book has one of the most clear and lucid introductions I have ever read in the field of plasma physics. The author's style and simplicity create an even flowing and logical story that not only makes this book easy to read but should also make it easy to use as a text in class.' Allan T. Mense, Ann. Nucl. Energy, Vol. 18, No. 10, 1991 'a welcome addition to the literature ... this book is intended to be useful to undergraduates in physics, and in fact it meets this intention very well' Keith Staines, Imperial College, London, Journal of Atmospheric and Terrestrial Physics, Vol.53, No.10, 1991 'the ideal textbook is not only clear and authoritative, but also short and priced at a level where students might reasonably be expected to buy it ... Dr Dendy's book meets all these criteria admirably ... the treatment here is very clear and well written ... this is a very attractive addition to the literature' Dr R.A. Cairns, University of St. Andrews, Contemporary Physics, Volume 32, number 4 'good readable textbooks, at the final year undergraduate level, are relatively few and a new addition is to be welcomed ... it is a convenient size, very clearly written and easily read ... I enjoyed reading it and would consider it very seriously as a work text for a final course.' G.J. Pert, Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion, Vol. 34, No. 6, 1992