KINETIC PROPERTIES OF INTERPLANETARY MATTER

Journal Article · Wed Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1962 · Planetary and Space Sci.

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0032-0633(62)90050-8· OSTI ID:4784115

Parker, E N

Estimates of the kinetic and transport properties of the interplanetary medium are reviewed. It is pointed out that the effective mean free paths of interplanetary ions and electrons are effectively small compared to the scale of the system, either because of Coulomb collisions or dynamical instability of the gas. Numerical expressions are given for the mean free path for Coulomb collisions, electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, viscosity, electromagnetic emission rates, recombination and ionization times, and charge- exchange cross sections. The magnetic Reynolds number of the solar wind proves to be large, the Reynolds number not very lange, and the Prandtl number small. All stationary atoms and ions are swept out of the solar system by the solar wind. It is pointed out that the quiet-day cosmic-ray density in interplanetary space increases the speed of sound beyond the orbit of Earth, reaching 10/sup 2/ km/sec at 50 a.u. should the solar wind extend that far. Energetic particles from the sun have an effect that may be much larger. The abundance of heavy ions in the solar wind may be significantly below the solar abundamce because of diffusion in the solar corona. (auth)

• Research Organization: Univ. of Chicago
• NSA Number: NSA-17-002143
• OSTI ID: 4784115
• Journal Information: Planetary and Space Sci., Journal Name: Planetary and Space Sci. Vol. Vol: 9
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ASTROPHYSICS
ATOMS
CHARGE EXCHANGE
COLLISIONS
COSMIC RADIATION
CROSS SECTIONS
DIFFUSION
ELECTRIC CHARGES
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES
ELECTRONS
EMISSION
ENERGY RANGE
FLUID FLOW
INTERACTIONS
IONIZATION
IONS
MASS
PHYSICS
PRANDTL NUMBER
QUANTITY RATIO
REYNOLDS NUMBER
SOLAR WIND
SOUND
SPACE
SUN
THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY
TRANSPORT
TURBULENCE
VELOCITY
VISCOSITY