A Definition of Plasticity
THE word ‘plasticity’, although one which has attained a state almost of ubiquity in several branches of applied physics and industrial chemistry, has, according to Scott Blair1, never been given a quantitative and dimensional definition. In the technical literature a group of quantitative ‘plasticity numbers’ have taken their place. Such expressions as the Williams plasticity number, or the Goodrich plasticity number (both used in rubber technology), have no quantitative meaning other than that of the reading of a particular type of testing equipment when used in a particular manner, and as such cannot be expressed in C.G.S. units.
Classification of Rheological Properties
AT a meeting of the British Rheologists' Club held at the Imperial College of Science, London, on May 16, the accompanying chart was presented for discussion by the Committee. The discussion was introduced by Dr. V. G. W. Harrison (hon. treasurer).
Climatology of the cusp-related thermospheric mass density anomaly, as derived from CHAMP observations
We report on the thermospheric mass density anomaly in the vicinity of the ionospheric cusp. A systematic survey of the anomalies is presented, based on a statistical analysis of 4 years of data (2002–2005) obtained by the accelerometer onboard CHAMP. The anomalies are detected during all years and seasons in both hemispheres but with stronger signatures in the Northern Hemisphere. For the same geophysical conditions, solar flux and geomagnetic activity the anomalies in the north are larger by a factor of about 1.35. Over the course of the survey period the amplitude decreases by more than a factor of 5 while the level of solar flux reduces by a factor of 2. The anomaly strength also depends on the solar wind input. The merging electric field, E merg , is generally enhanced for about an hour before the anomaly detection. There is a quadratic response of the anomaly amplitude to E merg . For geophysical conditions of P10.7 E merg E merg , where the weight of E merg , in mV/m, is by about 50 times higher than that of the solar flux level. The solar zenith angle and the influence of particle precipitation are found to play a minor role as a controlling parameter of seasonal variation. The well-known annual variation of the thermospheric density with a minimum around June also influences the formation of the cusp anomalies. This leads to a clear hemispheric asymmetry with very weak anomalies in the south during June solstice, which is supposed to be a combined effect of the minimum in annual variation and the seasonal decrease of solar insolation in this region.