Consider a longitudinal wave propagating along the x direction in a plasma whose electric field is given by

(a) Show that, for small displacements, the electrons that are moving with a velocity approximately equal to the phase velocity of the wave will oscillate with a frequency given by

(b) Establish the necessary conditions for trapping of the electrons by the wave.

Transcribed Image Text:

Ex(x, t) = Eo sin (kx - wt)