The Physics of Fluids and Plasmas: An Introduction for Astrophysicists [Paperback]

Arnab Rai Choudhuri (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 28, 1998 | ISBN-10: 0521555434 | ISBN-13: 978-0521555432

A good working knowledge of fluid mechanics and plasma physics is essential for the modern astrophysicist. This graduate textbook provides a clear, pedagogical introduction to these core subjects. Assuming an undergraduate background in physics, this book develops fluid mechanics and plasma physics from first principles. This book is unique because it presents neutral fluids and plasmas in a unified scheme, clearly indicating both their similarities and their differences. Also, both the macroscopic (continuum) and microscopic (particles) theories are developed, establishing the connections between them. Throughout, key examples from astrophysics are used, though no previous knowledge of astronomy is assumed. Exercises are included at the end of chapters to test the reader's understanding. This textbook is aimed primarily at astrophysics graduate students. It will also be of interest to advanced students in physics and applied mathematics seeking a unified view of fluid mechanics and plasma physics, encompassing both the microscopic and macroscopic theories.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The Physics of Fluids and Plasmas presents the basic ideas of hydrodynamics, plasma dynamics, and stellar dynamics under realistic astrophysical conditions. The text is unique in its extensive development of the similarities and differences of these three concepts, combining the essential formal calculations with the simple physical concepts to give the reader an intuitive grasp of the dynamical phenomena of the active astronomical universe...the author applies the theoretical tools to such diverse phenomena as magnetic buoyancy and sunspots, magnetohydrodynamics dynamos, stellar winds, jets, coronal heating, magnetic reconnection, accretion disks, etc....The new student, as well as the experienced research worker, will find this textbook useful and instructive." Professor Eugene N. Parker, Enrico Fermi Institute, University of Chicago.

"[This] book provides a comprehensive introduction to both fluid dynamics and to plasma physics, with many astrophysical examples. Here at last is an excellent textbook for a theoretical course, at graduate level, in plasma astrophysics." Professor Nigel O. Weiss, FRS, Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, University of Cambridge

Book Description

A good working knowledge of fluid mechanics and plasma physics is essential for the modern astrophysicist. This graduate textbook provides a clear, pedagogical introduction to these core subjects. This book is unique because it presents neutral fluids and plasmas in a unified scheme. Also, both the macroscopic (continuum) and microscopic (particles) theories are developed. Throughout, exercises are included to test the reader's understanding. This textbook is aimed primarily at astrophysics graduate students. It will also be of interest to advanced students in physics and applied mathematics seeking a unified view of fluid mechanics and plasma physics, encompassing both the microscopic and macroscopic theories.

Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (December 28, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521555434
• ISBN-13: 978-0521555432
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 7.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #553,711 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book for the beginers., February 26, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Physics of Fluids and Plasmas: An Introduction for Astrophysicists (Hardcover)

This book is really going to help those who are interested in Astrophysical Plasma. I have got this book just at the begining of my research career. "The Physics of Fluids and Plasmas" has made a unique attempt, where theories of neutral fluids and plasmas are developed simultaneously. Mathemetical details is very rare, but it understandable, since the title of this book contains "Introduction".

5.0 out of 5 stars Contemporary introduction to fluids and plasmas, May 12, 2009

By 

Amey Joshi (Bangalore, India) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Physics of Fluids and Plasmas: An Introduction for Astrophysicists (Paperback)

This book is a modern introduction to the fascinating topics of fluids and plasmas. The author develops both the topics from first principles and treats them in a unified manner. His style is informal and narrative without being casual or chatty.

He starts off with showing how Navier-Stokes equations are a plausible consequence of Boltzmann equation thus assuring the reader that there is nothing new in the former. He then goes on to standard topics in fluid dynamics peppering his course with examples from astrophysics. Although the choice of topics leans towards those of astrophysical interests, the book never gives an impression that it is meant only for a select audience. Through out the course, it emphasizes essential physics relegating technicalities either to exercises or references.

The second part of the book develops plasma theory in a fashion similar to fluids in first part. It begins with motion of charged particles in an assortment of electromagnetic fields and plasma orbit theory.Later chapters gradually inch towards MHD via Vlasov equation and two-fluid model. The section ends with intriguing and rather hard topics of magnetic topologies and dynamo theory. I will credit the author for taking pains to make these topics accessible to a beginner in plasma physics. Of course, we pay price for simplicity by sacrificing rigor. But the reader is cautioned of it each time the author does so.

The book does not abruptly end after introducing basics but has an epilogue in which the author whets the readers' appetite by offering a glimpse into relativistic & radiation hydrodynamics. The venerable and old-fashioned hydrodynamics still has a lot of unchartered areas and the book succeeds in persuading the reader that these topics are relevant even today, rather more so now.

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Text., October 12, 2008

By 

Maggs "Maggs" (NY,NY) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Physics of Fluids and Plasmas: An Introduction for Astrophysicists (Paperback)

This is a great book. It is clear, and organized very well. I wish it went into more detail, but it sets up a very solid foundation for understanding, and covers a very broad range of topics- it covers the board for Astrophysics.