Abstract
Mechanisms that could result in the acceleration of charged particles within the magnetosphere are discussed in terms of the responses expected from experimental instruments as they pass through acceleration regions. A series of experimental tests is outlined that can determine whether acceleration of trapped particles is important. The mechanisms discussed include Fermi acceleration, which can accelerate protons to tens or hundreds of kilovolts and can increase the energy of trapped electrons several hundred-fold before they are lost in the dense atmosphere. A change in the intensity of the solar wind or of the strength of a ring current can change the energy of trapped particles owing to the betatron mechanism. Electrons can be accelerated to kilovolt energies by the setting up of plasma oscillations or by acceleration within moving clouds or intrusions of solar plasma. Finally, particles can be accelerated to energies of ten kilovolts or more in the vicinity of neutral lines.
Published Version
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