Plasma Physics: Volume 4 of Modern Classical Physics

Kip Thorne and Roger Blandford's Modern Classical Physics is a groundbreaking textbook on twenty-first-century plasma physics and its applications, available in five stand-alone volumes that make ideal textbooks for individual graduate or advanced undergraduate courses. It provides an essential introduction to the subject, emphasizing modern, real-world applications, and giving students a physical and intuitive understanding of the topic.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 13 April 2021
Publisher: Princeton University Press

Kip Thorne and Roger Blandford's groundbreaking textbook, Modern Classical Physics, is now available in a comprehensive set of five stand-alone volumes, making it an ideal choice for individual graduate or advanced undergraduate courses in statistical physics, optics, elasticity and fluid dynamics, plasma physics, and relativity and cosmology. Each volume is meticulously crafted to provide a solid foundation in fundamental concepts, while also emphasizing modern, real-world applications that foster a physical and intuitive understanding of the subject.

Plasma Physics serves as an essential introduction to this captivating field. A plasma is a gas that has undergone significant ionization, typically through heating or the interaction of photons. It consists of a mixture of electrons and ions, sometimes accompanied by an embedded or confining magnetic field. Plasmas play a pivotal role in numerous contemporary applications, phenomena, and fields, including the pursuit of controlled thermonuclear fusion through magnetic or inertial confinement techniques, the explanation of radio wave propagation in the ionosphere and the behavior of the solar corona and wind, and the study of astrophysics, where plasmas emit radiation across the entire electromagnetic spectrum, including from black holes, highly magnetized neutron stars, and ultrarelativistic outflows.

Furthermore, this book can serve as valuable supplementary reading for a wide range of courses, including astrophysics, geophysics, and controlled fusion. It includes an abundance of exercise problems, accompanied by detailed solutions, to enhance the learning experience. The inclusion of color figures, suggestions for further reading, extensive cross-references, and a comprehensive index further enhance its utility.

Moreover, the optional "Track 2" sections make it particularly well-suited for one-quarter or one-semester courses, allowing professors to tailor the content to their specific teaching requirements. An online illustration package is also available to professors, further enhancing the teaching and learning experience.

The five volumes of Modern Classical Physics are available individually as paperbacks and ebooks, providing flexibility to students and instructors alike. Whether you are a student embarking on a journey into plasma physics or a professor seeking a comprehensive textbook for your course, this set is an indispensable resource that will deepen your understanding of this dynamic and interdisciplinary field.

Dimension: 254 x 203 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780691215501