Plasma Instabilities

Description: Test your knowledge on Plasma Instabilities, a crucial aspect of Plasma Physics.
Number of Questions: 15
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Tags: plasma physics plasma instabilities waves in plasma stability analysis
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Which instability is driven by the pressure gradient in a plasma?

  1. Drift Instability

  2. Kink Instability

  3. Ballooning Instability

  4. Tearing Mode Instability


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Drift instability arises due to the pressure gradient in a plasma, leading to the formation of density fluctuations and transport.

What is the primary driving force behind the Kink Instability?

  1. Current Density Gradient

  2. Pressure Gradient

  3. Density Gradient

  4. Temperature Gradient


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Kink instability is driven by the current density gradient in a plasma, causing the plasma column to bend and potentially disrupt.

What type of instability is characterized by the formation of elongated structures called 'balloons'?

  1. Drift Instability

  2. Kink Instability

  3. Ballooning Instability

  4. Tearing Mode Instability


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Ballooning instability is driven by the pressure gradient and magnetic field curvature in a plasma, leading to the formation of elongated structures called 'balloons'.

Which instability is associated with the formation of magnetic islands in a plasma?

  1. Drift Instability

  2. Kink Instability

  3. Ballooning Instability

  4. Tearing Mode Instability


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Tearing mode instability is driven by the current density gradient and magnetic field curvature in a plasma, leading to the formation of magnetic islands.

What is the main mechanism responsible for the stabilization of Drift Instabilities?

  1. Magnetic Shear

  2. Parallel Viscosity

  3. Perpendicular Viscosity

  4. Thermal Conduction


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Magnetic shear, which is the variation of the magnetic field direction across a plasma, is the primary mechanism for stabilizing drift instabilities.

Which instability is driven by the interaction between energetic particles and waves in a plasma?

  1. Drift Instability

  2. Kink Instability

  3. Ballooning Instability

  4. Kinetic Ballooning Mode


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Kinetic ballooning mode is driven by the interaction between energetic particles and waves in a plasma, leading to the formation of large-scale instabilities.

What is the primary cause of the Resistive Tearing Mode Instability?

  1. Pressure Gradient

  2. Current Density Gradient

  3. Magnetic Field Curvature

  4. Resistivity


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Resistive tearing mode instability is driven by the resistivity of the plasma, which allows magnetic field lines to reconnect and form magnetic islands.

Which instability is characterized by the formation of large-scale, rotating structures called 'zonal flows'?

  1. Drift Instability

  2. Kink Instability

  3. Ballooning Instability

  4. Zonal Flow Instability


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Zonal flow instability is driven by the interaction between turbulence and zonal flows, leading to the formation of large-scale, rotating structures.

What is the primary mechanism for stabilizing Kink Instabilities?

  1. Magnetic Shear

  2. Parallel Viscosity

  3. Perpendicular Viscosity

  4. Thermal Conduction


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Magnetic shear, which is the variation of the magnetic field direction across a plasma, is the primary mechanism for stabilizing kink instabilities.

Which instability is driven by the interaction between a plasma and an external magnetic field?

  1. Drift Instability

  2. Kink Instability

  3. Ballooning Instability

  4. Neoclassical Tearing Mode


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Neoclassical tearing mode instability is driven by the interaction between a plasma and an external magnetic field, leading to the formation of magnetic islands.

What is the primary cause of the Trapped Particle Mode Instability?

  1. Pressure Gradient

  2. Current Density Gradient

  3. Magnetic Field Curvature

  4. Trapped Particles


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Trapped particle mode instability is driven by the interaction between trapped particles and waves in a plasma, leading to the formation of instabilities.

Which instability is characterized by the formation of small-scale, localized structures called 'blobs'?

  1. Drift Instability

  2. Kink Instability

  3. Ballooning Instability

  4. Blob Formation Instability


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Blob formation instability is driven by the interaction between turbulence and density gradients, leading to the formation of small-scale, localized structures called 'blobs'.

What is the primary mechanism for stabilizing Ballooning Instabilities?

  1. Magnetic Shear

  2. Parallel Viscosity

  3. Perpendicular Viscosity

  4. Thermal Conduction


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Magnetic shear, which is the variation of the magnetic field direction across a plasma, is the primary mechanism for stabilizing ballooning instabilities.

Which instability is driven by the interaction between a plasma and a neutral gas?

  1. Drift Instability

  2. Kink Instability

  3. Ballooning Instability

  4. Neutral Beam Injection Driven Instability


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Neutral beam injection driven instability is driven by the interaction between a plasma and a neutral gas, leading to the formation of instabilities.

What is the primary cause of the Ion Temperature Gradient Mode Instability?

  1. Pressure Gradient

  2. Current Density Gradient

  3. Magnetic Field Curvature

  4. Ion Temperature Gradient


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Ion temperature gradient mode instability is driven by the ion temperature gradient in a plasma, leading to the formation of instabilities.

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