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Thermal and gravitational atmospheric oscillations—ionospheric dynamo effects included

1960; Elsevier BV; Volume: 17; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/0021-9169(60)90004-0

1878-593X

Marvin L. White,

Solar and Space Plasma Dynamics

Abstract The resonance theory of gravitational and thermal oscillations in a rotating atmosphere composed of a neutral gas ( Sen and White , 1955; White , 1956) is extended to include an electron and positive ion gas with a permanent magnetic field superposed (so-called dynamo effect, Chapman and Bartels , 1940). Basic equations of energy and motion are given, resulting, for example, in a Kirchhoff 's voltage law for the upper atmosphere. Height dependent expressions are obtained for the electric field, the current density, the ion drift velocities and non-linear heat source functions q w q n for the gas-as-a-whole and the neutral gas component. The q - functions are produced by an I 2 R power loss. The conditions under which one obtains the previous time-independent differential wave-equation of Wilkes (1951) and Sen and White (1955) are discussed; as an example, it is required that the thermal source function Q include a q function, resulting in two coupled wave-equations, one for the gas-as-a whole and another for the neutral component. Using a method of operators, a time-dependent differential wave-equation is obtained from the time-independent wave-equation. It is found as a sufficient condition that if the four independent space and time variables in the non-linear q - term are separable [with further minor restrictions given in equation (48)], then the oscillations satisfy the condition for neutral stability. Finally, a nonequilibrium “solution” for formation of ionized layers, based on the electron continuity equation, “tidal” transport terms included, is illustrated, using a method of successive approximation. Cavendish tables ( Thomas and Robins , 1955) of the daily electron density variations at given true heights and the New York University analysis ( Kertz , 1956a) of the daily surface pressure variations are examined for predicted non-linear effects. One interesting consequence is an explanation of the major contribution to the 6 hr surface pressure variation as a self-coupling of the important 12 hr pressure variation.