Magnetohydrodynamics

Magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) is the academic discipline which studies the dynamics of electrically-conducting fluids. It is study of the motions of electrically conducting fluids and their interactions with magnetic fields. Examples of such fluids include plasmas and liquid metals. The set of equations which describe MHD is a combination of the Navier-Stokes equations of fluid mechanics and Maxwell's equations of electromagnetism.

Plasma is a fluid with the ability to carry electric currents with no local accumulations of electric charge. The magnetic field exerts a force on the entire plasma. The magnetic field exert a force on the currents.

The magnetic field is three-dimensional. Generates and sustains magnetic fields that are turbulent. The Alfvén waves are vibrations in the magnetic field liness. The waves propagate along the field liness. This force is the new dynamic element.

Combined actions:

  1. magnetic field line tension
  2. magnetic field pressure strength

Important applications:

Active fields of MHD research include:

See also: Dynamo, Induction motor, Fluid Mechanics, Hydromagnetics, nuclear energy, plasma physics

References