A two-region model of the solar wind with collisionless electron heat flux

Abstract

view Abstract Citations (4) References (16) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS A Two-Region Model of the Solar Wind with Collisionless Electron Heat Flux Alexander, P. Abstract The present model divides the interplanetary space into an 'inner region' and an 'outer region'. The solar wind is assumed to be one-fluid in the former zone and two-fluid in the latter zone, where a new equation for the electron heat flux replaces the classical heat conduction law because the plasma is not collision dominated. The model produces solutions for all physical quantities as functions of heliocentric distance that are in good agreement with quiet-time observations. The numerical results and a new interpretation of the gravitational potential energy show that the main energy conversions in the solar coronal expansion are from heat conduction and enthalpy into mechanical energy, whereas the magnetic component plays an insignificant role. It is also found that the total energy equation cannot be replaced by the polytropic law. Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Pub Date: September 1993 DOI: 10.1086/173083 Bibcode: 1993ApJ...414..372A Keywords: Electron Scattering; Heat Flux; Interplanetary Space; Mathematical Models; Solar Wind; Conductive Heat Transfer; Energy Conversion; Potential Energy; Solar Corona; Solar Physics; SUN: SOLAR WIND full text sources ADS |