In: Physics
Consider a neutral plasma (a gas of electrons and positive ions) with electron density n. At high frequencies, because the ions are very heavy, we can consider them to be essentially fixed and any current due solely to the much lighter electrons. The total charge density can be set to zero for an electrically neutral gas. If E(t) = E_0*e^(-iwt), use Newtonian physics to find the current density J(t) in terms of w (omega), n, E(t), and the electron mass m_e, assuming that the electrons do not interact with each other. Then use your expression to find the value of the surface charge density.