326.
Many widely used methods for describing and understanding the magnetosphere are based on balance conditions for quasi-static
equilibrium (this is particularly true of the classical theory of magnetosphere/ionosphere coupling, which in addition presupposes
the equilibrium to be stable); they may therefore be of limited applicability for dealing with time-variable phenomena as
well as for determining cause-effect relations. The large-scale variability of the magnetosphere can be produced both by changing
external (solar-wind) conditions and by non-equilibrium internal dynamics. Its developments are governed by the basic equations
of physics, especially Maxwell’s equations combined with the unique constraints of large-scale plasma; the requirement of
charge quasi-neutrality constrains the electric field to be determined by plasma dynamics (generalized Ohm’s law) and the
electric current to match the existing curl of the magnetic field. The structure and dynamics of the ionosphere/magnetosphere/solar-wind
system can then be described in terms of three interrelated processes: (1) stress equilibrium and disequilibrium, (2) magnetic
flux transport, (3) energy conversion and dissipation. This provides a framework for a unified formulation of settled as well
as of controversial issues concerning, e.g., magnetospheric substorms and magnetic storms.
相似文献