Course Overview
This page focuses on the course 16.55 Ionized Gases as it was taught by associate Professor Paulo Lozano and Professor Emeritus Manuel Martinez-Sanchez in Fall 2014.
This course focused on the properties and behavior of ionized gases, or plasmas, including equilibrium, kinetic theory and gas surface interactions. Also covered was radiation in plasmas and diagnostics.
Course Outcomes
Course Goals for Students
- Understand how energy conversion, plasma propulsion, and gas lasers impact the properties and behavior of low-temperature plasmas.
- Describe gas surface interactions, radiation in plasmas, and the ways in which these phenomena relate to diagnostics.
- Apply the equilibrium and kinetic theory of ionized gases, along with an understanding of other theorems and their inter-relationships, to solve problems relating to low-temperature plasmas.
Possibilities for Further Study/Careers
This course prepares students for graduate study in the area of space propulsion engineering.
Curriculum Information
Prerequisites
Requirements Satisfied
16.55 can be applied toward a graduate degree in Space Propulsion Engineering (PDF) or Space Systems Engineering (PDF) from the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics.
Offered
Every other fall semester
Assessment
The students’ grades were based on the following activities:
- 50% Homework assignments (5)
- 50% Quizzes (2)
Student Information
Enrollment
12 students
Breakdown by Year
Graduate students
Breakdown by Major
Aeronautics and Astronautics graduate students in Space Propulsion (PDF) or Space Systems Engineering (PDF) degree programs.
How Student Time Was Spent
During an average week, students were expected to spend 12 hours on the course, roughly divided as follows:
In Class
- Met 2 times per week for 1.5 hours per session; 25 sessions; mandatory attendance.
- Two additional sessions were used for quizzes.
Out of Class
- Complete assigned readings.
- Complete 5 homework assignments.
