Consider a transverse electromagnetic wave mode propagating in an unmagnetized, partially ionized gas in which the electron-neutral collision frequency is ν_e. Include the effects of collisions in the electron equation of motion (21.17), by introducing a term −n_em_eν_eu_e on the right-hand side. Ignore ion motion and electron-ion and electron-electron collisions.

Derive the dispersion relation when ω ≫ ν_e, and show by explicit calculation that the rate of loss of energy per unit volume (−∇ · F_EM, where F_EM is the Poynting flux)is balanced by the Ohmic heating of the plasma.

Transcribed Image Text:

-ion,mus=q,n,E (21.17)